Program Development
Without an efficacious, up-to-date treatment program in place, no amount of leadership training or regulation compliance will matter. One of the most important phases of the professional services provided by Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions involves taking a fresh look at the clinical program itself. Evolving treatment protocols and increasing research results puts the onus on the behavioral healthcare provider to integrate best practices while updating and refining their programming.
Our services can guide providers through the process of reviewing their existing program, discerning which, if any, treatment elements included in a comprehensive program are in need of updating, and advise them accordingly. While some clients have already taken steps to introduce innovative program elements, others might benefit from a total refresh.
Circa Behavioral Healthcare Solutions understands the importance of remaining informed about the latest developments in the treatment industry, which we can then confidently recommend to our clients. Many of the essential aspects of innovative clinical program development are based on the following:
- Evidence-based practices. Evidence-based approaches are those therapeutic practices that have been studied and measured in clinical studies. The increasing clinical data derived from research and studies helps providers stay informed on which treatment practices provide the most impactful results, and can then tailor their programs accordingly.
- Technology. Rapidly developing technological advances have been found to benefit the treatment industry. The advent of telehealth platforms employed in the behavioral health landscape has demonstrated its essential role as a tool for patients who cannot physically access services. Other areas that technology is being integrated into programs are electronic medical records, toxicology, billing, and neurofeedback software.
- Levels of care. Behavioral healthcare providers may want to consider adding additional levels of care to their program to broaden the revenue base. For example, an outpatient provider could increase revenues and outpatient referrals by adding inpatient services or transitional housing. Adding dual diagnosis treatment is another potential area of growth to consider.
- Outcomes measurement. Improving patient outcomes is the primary mission of any reputable behavioral healthcare provider. The only way to quantify successful treatment outcomes is to have outcomes measurement tools in place. Increasingly, outcomes are being tracked via data that provide metrics to assist providers in fine-tuning their programs to continually improve clinical results.
- Quality curriculum. Commitment to offering a high quality curriculum is what sets a program apart from the pack. New evidence-based therapies, the trend toward integrating holistic and complementary activities, and breakthroughs in medication assisted treatment allow the provider an opportunity to design an innovative, cutting-edge curriculum that yields results.
- Medical treatment integration. Medications, such as buprenorphine, Suboxone, naltrexone, and methadone, have provided treatment providers with new tools to help patients overcome addiction and stabilize in recovery. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is becoming increasingly available as a regular component of a comprehensive rehabilitation program.
