Title
The research potential of administrative data from state mental health agencies
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Psychiatry
Date
6-2-2010
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Mental Health Services; Policy Making; *Research; *State Government; United States
Disciplines
Health Services Research | Mental and Social Health | Psychiatric and Mental Health | Psychiatry | Psychiatry and Psychology
Abstract
Three data sets profiling the organization, financing, and services of state mental health agencies, compiled routinely for all states, were examined to assess their potential for use in mental health policy analyses. Strengths included standardized protocols for compiling data at the state level, a high degree of completeness in two of the data sets, consistency in data definitions over time, and built-in data integrity and editing procedures. Data are aggregated at the state level and lack user-friendly features that facilitate downloading to statistical software. However, potential use of these data as contextual factors in multilevel models makes them an important resource for consideration.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Psychiatr Serv. 2010 Jun;61(6):546-8. Link to article on publisher's site
