Managed care and the evolving role of the clinical social worker in mental health.

This article discusses developments for practitioners in mental health care with the advent of managed care. With managed care's influence and new cost-containment strategies, the roles of clinical social workers, clinical psychologists, and psychiatrists are evolving, creating role conflict and competition. Along with changes in the utilization and definition of mental health practitioners' responsibilities, managed care has influenced issues such as private practice, mode of treatment, the use of outcome measurement and management, and the importance of case management. This article outlines the changes that have occurred and provides projections for the future.