Organizational Behaviour Management in a Psychiatric Day Hospital

Abstract

If behaviour therapy is to remain viable and relevant, it needs to address key problems in the settings in which they arise. One major problem facing behaviour therapists is that of procuring institutional innovation. This study illustrates the successful application of an “organizational behaviour management” (OBM) approach within a psychiatric day hospital. The central issues of measuring and manipulating important system variables, and of relating these to clinical outcomes, are addressed by concurrent process and outcome evaluations with nurses and patients. It is concluded that OBM represents a promising and effective extension of the behaviour therapists' skills.