Hi Michael:
This request for comment may be of interest to Division 20 members so please send to the Division Listserv. Thanks, Neil
From: "Studwell, Karen" KStudwell@apa.org Subject: APA Requests Your Comments on NIMH Services Research and Clinical Epidemiology Research Agenda
Dear APA Colleagues:
As leaders within APA's divisions and committees, your input is requested as APA prepares its comments for the National Advisory Mental Health Council Services and Clinical Epidemiology Workgroup. NIMH is reviewing its agenda to improve the translation of research into clinical practice and services. Specifically, the Workgroup is seeking examples of your most pressing mental health treatment or service questions, and the research evidence required for making better decisions about treatments and services. Please feel free to suggest novel processes by which NIMH can shape its research agenda to ensure it addresses such questions.
Please review the following materials and send your comments or suggestions to Karen Studwell (kstudwell@apa.org), in APA's Public Policy Office by Friday, January 20th.
Thank You,
Karen Studwell, J.D.
Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer
Public Policy Office
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
(202) 336-5585
(202) 336-6063 fax
Email: kstudwell@apa.org
Background Information
The Workgroup's charge is to set a research agenda for the Institute that will impact public health through developing scientific opportunities in clinical epidemiology and services research. This research agenda should address the real-world questions that patients, providers, and payers face in selecting, delivering, and financing optimal care. To achieve this, the agenda should be crafted to move forward rapidly in developing these opportunities through program initiatives. Questions to be addressed include:
- What services and clinical epidemiology research is NIMH currently supporting and what new areas should be developed?
- What opportunities exist to affect policy and care to ultimately reduce the burden of mental illness?
- Where do we have traction to make a difference through research, including collaborative opportunities with other communities and agencies?
Additional background information on the Workgroup and its charge can be found at:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/council/services-and-epi.cfm
Additional information on the Clinical Epidemiology and Services Research Branch can be found at:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/dsir/82-se.cfm
In addition, the following letter was sent from the Workgroup's Chair, Susan Essock, Ph.D.
Dear NIMH Coalition Member:
I am writing to each of the National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) Professional Coalition for Research Progress (Coalition) members as the Chairperson of the NIMH Council's Workgroup on Services and Clinical Epidemiology. (Please see http://www.nimh.nih.gov/council/services-and-epi.cfm for a fuller description of the Workgroup and its roster.) Dr. Thomas Insel, Director of the NIMH, asked this Workgroup to help him in his efforts to craft a research agenda geared toward more rapid translation of research findings into clinical practice and service for use by all NIMH stakeholders. This research agenda should address the real-world questions that patients, providers, and payers face in selecting, delivering, and financing optimal care. To ensure this important mission moves forward, the Workgroup is seeking your expert advice.
The Workgroup is asking you to give examples of your most pressing mental health treatment or service questions, and the research evidence required for making better decisions about treatments and services. Please feel free to suggest novel processes by which NIMH can shape its research agenda to ensure it addresses such questions.
The Workgroup invites you to share your ideas by sending comments by January 24 to the Workgroup's Staff Director, Dr. Jane Steinberg, at the Division of Extramural Activities, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rm. 6146, MSC 9609, Bethesda, MD 20852-9609, E-mail: jsteinbe@mail.nih.gov.
I will be presenting the initial Workgroup recommendations at NIMH's February 3 Council meeting for discussion and consideration.
Let me thank you in advance for considering this request and for any guidance you might provide to our Workgroup.
Sincerely,
Susan M. Essock, Ph.D., Chair
Council Workgroup on Services and Clinical
Epidemiology Research
Professor and Director
Division of Health Services Research
Mount Sinai School of Medicine ----------------------------------------------------------------- Neil Charness E-mail:charness@psy.fsu.edu
Psychology Dept. Phone (offices):850-644-6686; 850-644-8571
Florida State University Fax: 850-644-7739
Tallahassee, FL. 32306-1270 WWW: http://www.psy.fsu.edu/~charness/
