title: Outcome measures used in forensic mental health research: a structured review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The evidence base for forensic mental health (FMH) services has been developing since the late 1990s. Are outcome measures sound enough for the evaluation tasks?
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify, from published literature, outcome measures used in FMH research and, where feasible, assess their quality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured review was undertaken of trials and intervention studies published between 1990 and 2006. Details of outcome variables and measures were abstracted. Evidence regarding most frequently occurring outcome measures was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four hundred and fifty different instruments were used to assess outcomes, incorporating 1038 distinct variables. Very little evidence could be found to support the measurement properties of commonly used instruments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  and implications for practice There is little consistency in the use of outcome measure in FMH research. Effort is required to reach consensus on validated outcome measures in this field in order to better inform practice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Jemma C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yiend
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Doll
authors.forename: Seena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fazel
authors.forename: Crispin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jenkinson
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knapp
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plugge
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*