The effect of technical support on clinician attitudes toward an outcome assessment instrument

This study evaluated the impact of technical support on mental health clinicians' attitudes and use of an outcome assessment (OA) instrument. Technical support involved providing clinicians with the scored and profiled results of an OA instrument administered to their patients. It was predicted that temporary exposure to the instrument's uses would improve clinicians' attitudes toward the instrument and that improved attitudes would lead to greater use. The results indicated that subsequent to support clinicians' attitudes toward the instrument were generally more positive, as they had generally more favorable opinions, saw it as more relevant, and reported that it was relatively easy to use. Contrary to expectations, however, clinicians did not use the OA instrument more frequently or regularly after support. The implications for clinics seeking to implement OA protocols are discussed.