This volume comprises the written-up versions of the presentations given at a workshop on Methodology in Evaluation of Psychiatric Treatment, organized by the European Medical Research Councils (EMRC). It is intended to be a source book for those research workers who are already established as well as for those contemplating research in this difficult field. It should also be of interest to others engaged in evaluating results of treatment, with regard to both patient management and health administration.

The EMRC decided in 1978 to set up a study group on mental illness research. This group was to study information which had already been collected by the Secretariat of the EMRC and point out research areas which might be promoted by the EMRC or its member organizations. The group was also to prepare a proposal to the EMRC on workshops in the field of mental illness research, especially with reference to the evaluation of treatment. The study group, which initially consisted of Professors E. Anttinen (Finland), B. Cronholm (Sweden), T. Helgason (Iceland; chairman), H. Hippius (Federal Republic of Germany) and E.A. Sand (Belgium) submitted its first report to the EMRC in 1979. At the same time Professor R. Daly (Ireland) joined the group.

Having discussed the report of the study group at its following meetings, the EMRC decided that effort should be concentrated on promoting research on evaluation of psychiatric treatment and, as a first step, a small workshop of research workers from the countries of the Member Organizations should be arranged. Before doing so, a background document briefly reviewing published research work in the area should be prepared and circulated to the national member research councils. Professor Cronholm agreed to write this document supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council and with Professor Daly produced a final paper, which was precirculated to the participants in the workshop. It appears as one of the introductory chapters to this volume.

The papers which were summarized at the workshop are arranged unabridged under five major headings in this book. The introductory part is composed of Cronholm's and Daly's background document, Sir Martin Roth's paper on the aims of psychiatric treatment and the contribution to the discussion of N. Sartorius, on evaluation in mental health programmes.