memo:

to: Mental Health consumers and others interested in measures of consumers' perceptions of their care

from: mhsip policy group

re: Request for feedback on the mhsip Consumer Survey development process

date: January 18, 2000

With support from the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program (mhsip) developed and published, in 1996, a survey of consumer perceptions of care as part of the mhsip Consumer-Oriented Mental Health Report Card.  The survey has been adopted and adapted in many locations across the country since its introduction.  At this time, the mhsip policy group is planning to evaluate the implementation of the mhsip Consumer Survey.  The aim of the evaluation will be to: (1) compile information about what users have learned and, (2) make recommendations for using different versions of the survey and methodologies for administering it.

Here are two documents we are asking you to review and provide us feedback to help improve the mhsip Consumer Survey.  The first is a report on the history and development of the mhsip Survey.  The second is an outline of topics the mhsip policy group plans to address as progress, to-date, is assessed and recommendations for future actions are proposed.  Both of these documents are also published in the "library" section of the mhsip website (www.mhsip.org).  Please review each carefully and fax (301-443-7926) or e-mail (webmaster@mhsip.org).

We look forward to hearing your comments, edits and recommendations to help guide the future development of the mhsip Survey!