Cost Effectiveness

Cost Effectiveness in Implementing EBPs for Children and Adolescents

A report from the Washington State Policy Institute summarizes the research on cost benefits of interventions to reduce crime by youth. Included in the review are analyses of the cost effectiveness of multisystemic treatment, functional family therapy, and treatment foster care - programs that are frequently used with children and families with children with emotional and behavioral problems.

Researchers from Rand are currently conducting analyses of the cost effectiveness of a wide range of interventions that reduce violence, and also are examining the societal benefits of these interventions.

In the Psychiatric Services article, "Treatment costs for youths receiving multisystemic therapy or hospitalization after a psychiatric crisis," A.J. Sheidow (etal) carried out a cost analysis for multisystemic therapy, using data from 115 families receiving Medicaid in a randomized clinical trial that compared multisystemic therapy with usual inpatient services, followed by community aftercare. Costs and clinical outcomes are given over a four-month period (postreferral), and a 12-month follow-up period.

Cost Effectiveness in Implementing EBPs for Adults

Three articles by E.A. Latimer (etal), summarize the research on cost benefits of supported, employed and assertive community treatment programs to reach conclusions on the cost-effectiveness of these evidence-based practices:

Latimer, E.A. (1999). Economic impacts of assertive community treatment: A review of the literature. Can J Psychiatry, 44, 443-454.

Latimer, E.A. (2001). Economic impacts of supported employment for persons with severe mental illness. Can J Psychiatry, 46, 496-505.

Latimer, E.A. (2004). The cost of high-fidelity supported employment programs for people with severe mental illness. Psychiatric Services 55: 401-406.