This new book provides both the details and the "big picture" of assessing marital and family systems within the modern context of managed care and the changing parameters of intervention that go along with it. The text represents a short-term, problem-focused approach.

Dr. Bagarozzi begins his presentation with a specific outline for conducting an initial interview designed to pinpoint the problem and assess the need for collateral contacts - that is, the conditions under which therapists working within the managed care framework may treat the identified patient's spouse and/or other family members.

Subsequent chapters focus on the complementary processes of individual diagnosis and systems-centered evaluation along with issues of instrument construction, reliability, validity, and utility, including marital and family assessment instruments and their use in facilitating the therapeutic process. Examples of actual tools, in addition to a marital assessment questionnaire and case study material that demonstrates particular methods in action, enhance and expand the discussion.

The final chapter examines the key topic of accountability, providing practical suggestions on how to conduct outcomes research.