Article
The Influence of Marital and Family Therapy on Health Care Utilization in a Health Maintenance Organization
Journal of Marital and Family Therapy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2000
Disciplines
Abstract
Research has shown that people reduce their use of health care after individual psychotherapy. However, little research has been done to learn if marital and family therapy has a similar effect. Subjects (n = 292) from a health-maintenance organization were randomly selected according to the type of therapy they had received. Subjects' medical records were examined for 6 months before, during, and after therapy. Those who received marital and family therapy significantly reduced their use of health care services by 21.5%. These results show an “offset effect” for marriage and family therapy.
Citation Information
Law, D.D., & Crane, D.R. (2000). The influence of marital and family therapy on health care utilization in a health maintenance organization. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 26, 281-291.