Patient Satisfaction with Manualized Versus Standard Interventions in a Managed Care Context

Abstract

Objective: This article reviews the current debate surrounding the use of manualized treatments within behavioral health settings and presents the results of an exploratory study (N = 230) that examined client satisfaction with structured, time-limited treatment versus unstructured individualized treatment. Method: The study employed a survey design using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) to determine levels of client satisfaction with the two distinct treatment options: standardized group treatment versus unstructured, individual therapy. Results: The data suggest that clients are equally satisfied with both types of intervention and that this satisfaction is consistent across descriptive variables. Conclusions: The report concludes with a discussion of the implications of these findings for social work practitioners and administrators and the implications for future research.