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Validation of the Booth Evaluation of Absconding Tool for Assessment of Absconding Risk
Brad D Booth1, Steve F Michel2, J Sebastian Baglole2
1Dr. Booth is Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and Psychiatrist, Integrated Forensic Program, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Michel is Advanced Practice Clinician, Integrated Forensic Program, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Baglole is affiliated with the Department of Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Ms. Healey is Research Coordinator, Integrated Forensic Program, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Ms. Robertson is Research Assistant, Integrated Forensic Program, Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. brad.booth@theroyal.ca.
Abstract:
Although absconsion from secure forensic settings is uncommon, it can have serious consequences for the patient, the hospital, and the public. To assess risk of absconding in this population, using empirically based literature and clinical expertise, the authors designed a 28-item structured professional judgment measure, the Booth Evaluation of Absconding Tool (BEAT). To evaluate the psychometric properties of the BEAT, we completed a blinded, case-matched, retrospective study of absconders (n = 57) and non-absconders (n = 26) between 2009 and 2017. Together, the absconders accounted for 120 absconding incidents over the study period. The incidents had similar characteristics as previously published descriptive studies of absconding behavior. The BEAT demonstrated solid internal consistency (α = 0.78), promising inter-rater reliability across many items, and good accuracy in differentiating absconders from controls (area under the curve = 0.77). Considering the limitations associated with a retrospective chart review study, these results show promising reliability and validity for the BEAT and suggest that the BEAT could be a useful tool in assessing and managing absconding in forensic patients.
