Managed behavioral health care: Current status, recent trends, and the role of psychology.

Managed behavioral health care is a rapidly growing field that is becoming more complex, resulting in a blurring of traditional distinctions between different sectors of the industry. Practice guidelines and outcome research will become critical elements of future managed care approaches, and these elements will be part of an overall focus on improvement in the quality of care. Here a model of quality improvement that emphasizes differing levels of organization is proposed, and the role of psychology in the emerging health care system is discussed. The field of psychology has not ascended to a leadership role in the evolving health care system. Suggestions are made to move the field of psychology to assume a more significant role in the managed care system.