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Outcome measurement in chronic mental illness
1Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, St Vincent's Hospital Mental Health Service, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. Tom.Trauer@med.monash.edu.au
International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)
|April 20, 2010
Summary
This review examines outcome measurement tools for chronic mental illness, including severity scales like the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and functioning assessments. It highlights quality of life, needs assessment, and the emerging concept of recovery in mental healthcare.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health Outcome Measurement
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Outcome measurement is crucial for evaluating mental health services.
- Australia has a leading role in implementing outcome measurement systems.
- Defining and measuring outcomes in chronic mental illness presents unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review various instruments for assessing outcomes in chronic mental illness.
- To explore different facets of outcome measurement, including illness severity, functioning, quality of life, needs, and recovery.
- To discuss the application and utility of standardized outcome measures in mental health services.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of outcome measurement instruments and their application in chronic mental illness.
- Focus on specific tools such as the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS), Life Skills Profile (LSP), and Camberwell Assessment of Need.
- Analysis of research on quality of life, functioning, and recovery in the context of chronic mental illness.
Main Results:
- Instruments like HoNOS primarily measure illness severity, while LSP assesses personal functioning.
- Quality of life and unmet needs (using Camberwell Assessment of Need) are key outcome areas.
- Research on recovery-focused scales in chronic mental illness is emerging but less established.
- Standardized instruments can reveal small but significant changes in groups and individuals.
Conclusions:
- A range of validated instruments exist to measure diverse outcomes in chronic mental illness.
- Assessing illness severity, functioning, quality of life, needs, and recovery provides a comprehensive view of patient outcomes.
- The use of standardized tools facilitates consistent evaluation and demonstrates the utility of outcome data in service improvement.
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