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Routine measurement of mental health service outcomes: Health of the Nation Outcome Scales in Nova Scotia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Stephen Kisely ,
Leslie Anne Campbell ,
Heather Robertson ,
Doug Crossman ,
Karen Martin  and
John Campbell
Stephen Kisely
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Room 2.15d, Building LO3, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia, email: [email protected]
Heather Robertson
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, and Health Outcomes Unit, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax
Karen Martin
Affiliation:
Mental Health Programme, South Shore Health, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
John Campbell
Affiliation:
Mental Health Programme, Annapolis Valley Health Authority, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
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Abstract

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Aims and Method

Although the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) were designed for routine clinical use, completion rates in clinical settings rarely exceed 60%. We evaluated two initiatives to increase completion rates: timely feedback to clinicians, useful at individual, team and service levels, and improved supporting materials (tabulated glossaries for all versions covering the life-span).

Results

Clinicians in South Shore Health district provided ratings on all outpatient referrals over 12 months as part of routine care. Data were captured using the Nova Scotia routine administrative data system. Completion rates rose from 61% to 86% (n=1190). Clinicians' ratings of the instrument's ease of use were significantly improved.

Clinical Implications

Use of a tabulated glossary and enhanced feedback of clinically useful information improved clinician support for the routine measurement of health outcomes with HoNOS.

Type
Original papers
Information
Psychiatric Bulletin , Volume 32 , Issue 7 , July 2008 , pp. 248 - 250
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2008

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