I love ideas but…

…I'm also a pragmatist. If we are ever going to transform the mental health system so that people have access to evidence based and recovery-oriented services, then we need more than good ideas. We need pratical tools that can be used in everyday work settings. Research shows that the transfer of knowledge from training into practice is dismal. Onsite coaching works much, much better and actually results in real changes in clinician behaviors. However, onsite coaching can be costly.

In my recent work I have been exploring the learning collaborative model as outlined by the Instititue on Healthcare Improvement (IHI). In Pennsylvania and Kansas, we have trained staff to run regional learning collaboratives to support the implementation of the CommonGround Approach. In the two states, 60 agencies are implementing the CommonGround Approach in a systematic fashion and collecting metrics of change in the process. To see these agencies moving beyond talk, into action, is very rewarding for me.

Community Care's Recovery Learning Collaborative

I have been working with Community Care Behavioral Health Organization to bring the CommonGround Approach to Pennsylvania. 49 agencies from across the state are enrolled in regional Recovery Learning Collaboratives where they began by implementing the Personal Medicine Toolkit. In the fall of 2010 they will take the next steps in implementing the Power Statement Toolkit.

Please contact us if you would like to work with us to bring recovery learning collaboratives in your area.

Personal Medicine in the Recovery Process

Learning to use psychiatric medications in the recovery process is a journey that involves developing an active voice with a treatment team. In this 1-hour webinar, I introduce specific tools that can help consumers and providers center their communication around individuals' goals for recovery, including finding the best balance of Personal Medicine and psychiatric medicine. You can listen to the webinar.