Are the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales a valid and practical instrument to measure outcomes in North America? A three-site evaluation across Nova Scotia.
We tested the usability, sensitivity and validity of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) in routine clinical practice in North America. Three pilot sites provided ratings on all inpatient and outpatient referrals over 4 months using versions covering children and adolescents (HoNOSCA), working-age adults and the over-65s. Data were entered using the routine administrative data system. Sixty-one percent of eligible patients had at least one HoNOS rating (n = 485). Following the initial rating, subsequent completion rates reached 80%. Ratings were sensitive to time and setting, with significantly higher scores in inpatients than outpatients. Individual diagnoses had different patterns of scores, further supporting validity.
Kisely
Stephen
S
Department of Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. Stephen.Kisley@cdha.nshealth.ca
Campbell
Leslie Anne
LA
Crossman
Doug
D
Gleich
Stephen
S
Campbell
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D002648:Child; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009674:Nova Scotia; D015588:Observer Variation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010343:Patient Admission; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population