Beginning in the 1990s, there has been a rapid growth in emerging treatment technologies (both pharmacological and psychotherapeutic) for bipolar disorder. Some of these novel treatments have a stronger efficacy evidence base supporting their use than others. At the same time, there have been major changes in mental health care service delivery and resource allocation that could affect the treatments available to patients.

This research examines patient, provider and health care system financing characteristics associated with treatment quality and outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder. We are conducting analyses using clinical trial data from an NIMH funded multisite naturalistic study of patients with bipolar disorder (the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder study [STEP-BD]), as well as administrative data from Medicaid and private insurance programs.