Peer Review Guidelines: A Survey of Local Standards of Treatment

The Central California Psychiatric Society conducted a six-month survey of practice among its 200 members to develop data useful for establishing local norms as a basis of peer review guidelines. During the six-month period. 3.151 reports were received from 97 psychiatrists. The information was collected on a form that protects confidentiality but gives information about the patient, including diagnosis and total outpatient or inpatient treatment, The authors present examples of data gathered on treatment for four treatment categories. They suggest the desirability of other district branches accumulating data that will serve as a basis for developing local guidelines for standards of treatment.