Consumer attitudes towards the use of routine outcome measures in a public mental health service: a consumer-driven study.
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.
Guthrie
David
D
Barwon Health: Community and Mental Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. davidgu@barwonhealth.org.au
McIntosh
Mishka
M
Callaly
Tom
T
Trauer
Tom
T
Coombs
Tim
T
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D019090:Case Management / Q000592:standards; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010358:Patient Participation; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014739:Victoria