Consumer attitudes towards the use of routine outcome measures in a public mental health service: A consumer‐driven study

Abstract

In this study conducted by consumer consultants, 50 consumers who have a Barwon Health case manager (the majority of whom were nurses) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to ascertain their attitudes towards the routine use of outcome measures. Forty participants (80% of those interviewed) reported they had been offered the Behaviour and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32) to complete in routine care by their case managers and of those, 95% (n = 38) completed it. On those who completed the BASIS-32, 42% said their case manager had explained what the BASIS-32 would be used for, 45% said that the case manager had discussed their responses with them, 76% stated that completing the BASIS-32 had helped the case manager to understand them better and 66% believed that completing the BASIS-32 had led to them receiving better care. Only 30% of the group interviewed were aware that their case manager regularly completed a Health of the Nation Outcome Scales and Life Skills Profile. Feedback about the process of completing the BASIS-32 was obtained as well as suggestions on how the process may be improved. The results indicate that consumers see the benefit of routine outcome measurement and believe it leads to improved care. More information about outcome measures, including the clinician-rated outcome measures, needs to be provided to consumers if they are to be engaged constructively in this exercise.

Determinants and Functions of Standardized Assessment Use Among School Mental Health Clinicians: A Mixed Methods Evaluation

“…Outcome monitoring with SA is becoming increasingly central to service delivery, and a growing body of research has supported the role of SA and outcome monitoring in improving the effectiveness of services for both adults (Lambert et al, 2003) and youth (Bickman, Kelley, Breda, de Andrade, & Riemer, 2011). Reviews have indicated that SA is especially useful for identifying client deterioration or therapy non-response (e.g., Carlier et al, 2010; Lambert et al, 2003) and that many consumers value routine outcome measurement in the services they receive (Guthrie, McIntosh, Callaly, Trauer, & Coombs, 2008). …”

Development of a short measure of psychological recovery in serious mental illness: the STORI-30

“…These claims have been empirically supported with recovery-oriented measures showing little relationship to outcomes typically assessed in mental health services 4 . With recovery-oriented practice becoming adopted policy in many countries, including Australia 5 , there is increasing demand for outcome measures that capture consumer-defined recovery [6][7] . This is particularly important in the context of evidence-based practice, and the increasing drive towards routine outcome measurement 8 .…”

Clinicians’ Attitudes Towards Outcome and Process Monitoring: A Validation of the Outcome Measurement Questionnaire

“…Finally, we recommend continued research-and development of a measurement instrument-into the influence of clients' monitoring attitudes. Their willingness to collaborate with clinicians in completing monitoring instruments is likely to play an equally important role in the compliance, effectiveness and efficacy of monitoring (Guthrie et al 2008).…”

“…Systematic client feedback has proven to increase treatment outcome, especially in clients predicted to have poor outcomes (Knaup et al 2009;Shimokawa et al 2010). It also increases clients' engagement and motivation to change, instills confidence in the therapeutic process and facilitates the formation of a strong therapeutic alliance (Allen et al 2003;Guthrie et al 2008;Hilsenroth et al 2004). Despite these positive effects and the growing availability of monitoring instruments, many clinicians remain hesitant, ambivalent or negative towards monitoring.…”