John McGrew, Ph.D.

Research

My current interests can be broadly classified into three areas: evidence-based community treatments for persons with severe mental illness, mental health system change and assessment, and autism. In the area of evidence-based community treatments I have focused most of my activity on Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), cited as a best practice treatment for persons with schizophrenia. My primary interests are in the evaluation of the critical ingredients of, and mechanisms of action of, ACT. I also continue to pursue a long-standing interest in the processes of dissemination and implementation of evidence-based practice, including a series of studies on the measurement of the fidelity of implementation. A related series of investigations has focused on what happens to persons discharged into the community after long-term hospitalization.

I have undertaken several projects related to my interest in mental health system change and assessment. One major effort has focused on the development of clinical instruments for adults and children that can be used to determine reimbursement rates for specific levels of care and assess clinical outcomes, e.g., level of functioning. A second project helped to develop and implement performance indicators for the Indiana State Mental Health System. A third project investigated the impact of instituting performance-based funding on the effectiveness of an evidence-based employment model, supported employment. A fourth evaluated the effectiveness of instituting an integrated model of behavioral and physical health care in the primary care setting.

My interests in autism have developed more recently. Together with colleagues at another university, we have conducted two randomized controlled trials of a structured consulting model that works within an ecological framework to identify relevant social/life goals and the best practice models to achieve them when creating the Individualized Educational Plan for children with autism in Special Education. I also am working with students on various projects investigating caregiver burden and family stress for parents and siblings who care for a child or adult with autism.

Research Areas

• Clinical Psychology
• Severe Mental Illness

Research Affiliations

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Center

Education

• 1977 B.M.E. Minor: Electrical Engineering, GMI Engineering and Management Institute (now Kettering University)
• 1977 M.S.E, Computer, Information, and Controls Engineering, University of Michigan
• 1987 Clinical Psychology Internship, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center
• 1991 Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Indiana University

Publications & Professional Activity

McGrew, J.H, Johannesen, J.K., Griss, M.E., Born, D., & Hart Katuin, C. (2005). Performance-based funding of supported- employment: A multi-site controlled trial. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 23, 81-99.

Stuart, M., & McGrew, J.H. (2008). Caregiver burden after receiving a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3, 86-97.
 
McGrew, J.H., & Kimbrough, M. (2009). Evaluation of an intensive case management program for transitional age youth and its transition to Assertive Community Treatment. American Journal of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, 12, 278-294.

McGrew, J., Stull, L., Rollins, A., Salyers, M., Hicks, L. (2011). A comparison of phone-based and onsite-based fidelity for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): A pilot study in Indiana  Psychiatric Services, 62, 670-674.

Stull, L., McGrew, J.H., Salyers, M.P. (2012).  Processes Underlying Success and Failure in Assertive Community Treatment. Journal of Mental Health, 21, 49-56.

Ruble, L., McGrew, J., & Toland, M.  (2012) Goal Attainment Scaling as an Outcome Measure for Randomized Controlled Trials of Psychosocial Interventions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Published online January 21, 2012.