This article, published in Psychiatric Services, explores the effects of fragmented information systems on the integration of care for mental health and substance abuse, suggesting that interoperable data systems could lead to higher quality care in the behavioral health space.  It investigates current intitiatives that may lead to these reforms and identifies steps that can be taken to make progress in this area.

Coffey, J. M., et. al. (2011). Transforming mental health and substance abuse data systems in the United States. Psychiatric Services, 59:1257-1263. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.59.11.1257. http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/ps;59/11/1257 

Full Article: Transforming Mental Health and Substance Abuse Data Systems (PDF | 108 KB)

Authors: Coffey, R. M., Buck, J. A., Kassed, C. A., Dilonardo, J., Forhan, C. Marder, W. D., and Vandivort-Warren, R.