Outcome measures in mental health services: Humpty Dumpty is alive and well.
OBJECTIVE
To reflect on the surge of interest in 'outcomes' in mental health services.


CONCLUSIONS
Reliable assessments underpin the ability to measure change in clinically relevant health status, and no single measure can represent all relevant variables. The measure of change should be regarded as only one part of a larger and dynamic process. Consumer management and service quality improvement activities may be better enhanced by placing emphasis on assessing those domains, which will inform the development of potential clinical management plans, in a quantitative fashion. Where indicated, repeated assessment will provide information which will inform individual patient care, and by grouping data, service planning and continuous improvement activities.
Mellsop
Graham
G
Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. MellsopG@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Wilson
Janice
J
D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009517:New South Wales; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results