This article discusses a model intervention clarifying confidentiality policies regarding releasing information to families or significant others was evaluated for its effectiveness in improving provider-consumer-family collaboration. The intervention was implemented in one agency, and a comparison agency continued with previously used procedures. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 59 providers and 68 families at baseline and 52 providers and 58 families upon termination of the study. The authors found that families with relatives receiving treatment from the intervention agency were significantly more likely to have had contact with providers during the course of the study than were families from the comparison agency. Families associated with providers who had higher fidelity to the intervention were also more likely to report more frequent provider contact, more information from providers, and more satisfaction with the amount of contact they had with providers. The authors conclude the model intervention, if faithfully implemented, may enhance collaboration between providers, consumers, and families.
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