Science to Practice: Making What We Know What We Actually Do

The perspective of the medical director of a large public mental health agency is provided regarding how to close the gap between what we know and what we do in mental health care. Tools for change, actions required, and key actors are identified. The author believes the moment is propitious for improving care systemically. Key words: evidence-based practices/co-occurring disorders/standards of care Changing the world of medical care is not for the faint hearted. Many have tried, and stories of failure, in general med-ical care as well as mental health (and addictions) care, fill the archives of medical and social science history for those who can bear reading it. For a short survey of how limited our success has been to this day, despit