Measurement-Based Care in a Remote Intensive Outpatient Program: Pilot Implementation Initiative

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Services Research
• Digital Health Interventions
• Adolescent Psychiatry

Background:

• The demand for youth intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) is rising due to the mental health crisis.
• Remote IOPs require defined best practices for high-acuity youth.
• Measurement-based care (MBC) shows promise for improving mental health outcomes but faces slow adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the implementation of MBC in a remote-first, youth-oriented IOP.
• To address gaps in understanding MBC's impact in youth mental health care.

Main Methods:

• Two quality improvement pilot studies were conducted with clinicians and clients in a remote IOP.
• MBC deployment was refined using process evaluation data, clinician training, and feedback.
• Data analysis focused on survey completion, clinician feedback, and client outcomes.

Main Results:

• Survey completion rates exceeded 80% in both studies.
• Clinician feedback showed significant improvement between studies.
• MBC clients had higher treatment completion rates (22-29%) and greater symptom reduction (P<.05).

Conclusions:

• MBC is feasible and acceptable in remote, youth-serving IOPs.
• High survey completion and improved feedback indicate strong clinician buy-in.
• MBC positively correlates with treatment completion and symptom reduction, offering practical implementation guidance.