The work of the Division of Psychiatric Services Research (DPSR) faculty members is supported by a range of federal, state, and private funding sources. Faculty members actively collaborate with Centers and Divisions within the Department; other Schools within University of Maryland, Baltimore; and the VA Maryland Health Care System. DPSR has maintained a portfolio of funded research and evaluation projects with a total annual budget of approximately $7 million.
Improving Health and Recovery Outcomes for Individuals Living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
DPSR faculty and affiliated faculty are national experts in developing and testing interventions for people with SMI. They are studying ways to help people:
- Quit smoking
- Reduce substance use
- Manage chronic medical illness
- Use psychiatric medications effectively
- Improve sleep
- Manage chronic pain
- Reduce suicidality
Evaluating Innovative Mental Health Treatment Programs
DPSR partners with state and local stakeholders to evaluate mental health services. This helps stakeholders make decisions about larger-scale dissemination of mental health services and programs. For example:
- Dr. Bennett leads the Maryland Early Intervention Program (MEIP) and Connections Learning Healthcare System (CLHS) focused on evaluating and improving care for people with early psychosis.
- Drs. Phalen and Lucksted lead an evaluation of a new clinic providing mental health trauma treatment for victims of violence at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.
Improving the Delivery of Psychiatric Services in Community Practice
In many communities, evidence-based mental health treatment services are lacking. DPSR faculty study ways to improve service delivery and make effective interventions available in community mental health treatment settings. For example:
- Dr. Julie Kreyenbuhl leads a NIMH-funded project that uses nationwide Medicaid and Medicare data to compare the quality and outcomes of prescribing of behavioral health medications . The results of this study will inform the policy debate surrounding the expansion of nurse practitioners’ scopes of practice as one approach to addressing the significant psychiatrist-prescriber workforce shortage.
- Dr. Phalen has established DBT programming across a range of settings, including full model comprehensive DBT programs at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Maryland Division of Community Mental Health.
Implementation Research
DPSR faculty examine ways to effectively implement evidenced-based practices within mental health care systems. Work in the Division has led to critical improvements in the quality and effectiveness of mental health care throughout Maryland. For example:
- The DPSR and the University of Kentucky Medical School are funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration to integrate HIV and hepatitis screening as well as risk reduction within methadone treatment. The project provides funding to add screening and testing for Hepatitis C, immunization for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, risk reduction counseling, and medical referral for both HIV and hepatitis within the Department of Psychiatry’s methadone treatment center
- Drs. Bennett and Phalen are implementing and evaluating a peer-supported service to help patients with first episode psychosis better navigate their care, including resolving practical barriers to care or conflicts with prescribers over medication.