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The How Are You? scale: a quality-of-life outcomes measure for routine practice
K A Katsavdakis1, P I Clifford, R B Evans
1Menninger Clinic, Topeka, KS 66601-0829, USA. katsavk@menninger.edu
Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic
|August 19, 1999
Summary
The How Are You? scale offers a user-friendly way to assess mental health, promoting patient involvement. This quality-of-life tool demonstrates strong psychometric properties for reliable outcomes measurement.
Area of Science:
- Psychometrics
- Mental Health Assessment
- Quality of Life Measurement
Background:
- The mental health consumer movement advocated for accessible language and collaborative clinician-patient dialogue.
- Existing assessment tools often used technical jargon, hindering patient engagement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the How Are You? scale, a patient-completed, quality-of-life outcomes measure.
- To assess the psychometric properties of the How Are You? scale for clinical use.
Main Methods:
- Internal consistency and stability were evaluated using an employee sample.
- Known-group and discriminant validity, along with sensitivity to change, were assessed in a patient sample.
Main Results:
- The How Are You? scale exhibited good internal consistency and stability.
- The scale demonstrated good known-group and discriminant validity, and sensitivity to change.
Conclusions:
- The How Are You? scale is a psychometrically sound instrument for outcomes measurement.
- The scale facilitates patient involvement in assessment and treatment, aligning with consumer movement goals.