Missing the Forest for the Details of Routine Outcome Monitoring: A Qualitative Inquiry of Clinicians' Experience...

Research has suggested that routine outcome monitoring (ROM) and participation in a practice research network (PRN) can enhance therapy outcomes. However, few PRNs are designed for systemic therapists and researchers. One of the PRNs for systemic therapists is the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (MFT-PRN). This study used a phenomenological qualitative approach to gain a deeper understanding of clinicians' experiences with the MFT-PRN. Sixteen clinicians were interviewed, and the transcribed interviews were coded into five themes and subthemes: (1) general usefulness of the MFT-PRN, (2) positive impact on clinical practice, (3) data utility and insights, (4) challenges, and (5) suggested improvements. Feedback from participants using the MFT-PRN largely mirrors research that suggests ROM increases client outcomes, enhances the therapeutic alliance, and informs treatment. The qualitative feedback also revealed that implementation of the MFT-PRN can be challenging, another common theme in ROM research.