Evidence-based mental health care and implementation science in low- and middle-income countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Evidence-based mental health care and implementation science in low- and middle-income countries

AU - Thornicroft, G.

PY - 2012/9

Y1 - 2012/9

N2 - Although the evidence base for what to do about the mental health gap in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) has improved significantly over the last decade, mental health care in LAMICs still provide services to only a small minority of people with mental disorders. The problem is how to translate the relevant body of scientific knowledge into routine practice. It is clear from over two decades of research that the creation of evidence-based guidelines is necessary but not sufficient for evidence-based practice, whether in high-or low-income settings. In this Editorial, I discuss whether the recent development of 'implementation science' may offer an opportunity towards effective guideline implementation in low-and medium-income settings, so that clinical practice is more often based on evidence that does lead to patient benefit.

AB - Although the evidence base for what to do about the mental health gap in low- and middle-income countries (LAMICs) has improved significantly over the last decade, mental health care in LAMICs still provide services to only a small minority of people with mental disorders. The problem is how to translate the relevant body of scientific knowledge into routine practice. It is clear from over two decades of research that the creation of evidence-based guidelines is necessary but not sufficient for evidence-based practice, whether in high-or low-income settings. In this Editorial, I discuss whether the recent development of 'implementation science' may offer an opportunity towards effective guideline implementation in low-and medium-income settings, so that clinical practice is more often based on evidence that does lead to patient benefit.

U2 - 10.1017/S2045796012000261

DO - 10.1017/S2045796012000261

M3 - Editorial

SN - 2045-7960

VL - 21

SP - 241

EP - 244

JO - Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences

JF - Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences

IS - 3

ER -