ORCA Progress Report

Authors

Lara Schwicht, Brigham Young University
Dr. Jeffrey Lee, Brigham Young University

Keywords

severely and persistently mentally ill, SPMI, health care

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

Abstract

This study focuses on assessment procedures used to evaluate the treatments offered to severely and persistently mentally ill patients (SPMI). By way of definition, SPMI individuals: (1) number between one and five million (NAMHC, 1995; Arns, & Linney, 1993), (2) use a significant percentage of mental health care inpatient and community services ($148 billion annually in the United States), and (3) are diagnosed with mental disorders such as “schizophrenia, schizo-affective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, autism, and obsessive compulsive disorder” (Carey, & Carey, 1999). The size of this patient population coupled with its financial impact on health care in North America underscore the importance of research efforts aimed at refining assessment attempts to identify successful and unsuccessful treatments.

Recommended Citation

Schwicht, Lara and Lee, Dr. Jeffrey (2013) "ORCA Progress Report," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 473.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/473