Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
10:07
Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Research and development
J K Wing1, A S Beevor, R H Curtis
1College Research Unit, University of Nottingham.
Summary
The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) is a 12-item instrument developed to measure mental health progress. It is user-friendly, reliable, and accepted by clinicians for assessing patient functioning.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Mental Health Assessment
- Health Services Research
Background:
- A need existed to quantify progress towards the Department of Health's "Health of the Nation" target for improving mental health.
- Existing instruments required enhancement to adequately measure both clinical problems and social functioning in mentally ill individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a reliable instrument for measuring health and social functioning in mentally ill patients.
- To create a tool that could track progress towards national mental health targets.
Main Methods:
- Iterative development involving expert consultation and literature review.
- Four stages of testing, including preliminary trials and a large field trial with 2706 patients and 492 clinicians.
- Independent reliability and validity testing of the final Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) with 197 participants.
Main Results:
- The developed 12-item HoNOS is simple to use and adequately covers clinical and social functioning.
- Clinicians generally found the HoNOS acceptable and reported it to be sensitive to changes in patient status.
- Independent trials confirmed good reliability, with reasonable comparison to existing scales like the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scales.
Conclusions:
- The HoNOS has demonstrated clinical utility, with clinicians indicating a willingness to use it for their own assessment purposes.
- The potential for using anonymized HoNOS data for public health surveillance, as part of a minimum data set, remains an untested but promising avenue.
Related Concept Videos
01:23International Nursing Organizations I
International Nursing Organization (ICN) is a global union of national nurses' organizations. Individual nurses can be a part of ICN through member organizations. Each member organization strives to ensure quality nursing care, sound health policies, the advancement of nursing knowledge, respect for the profession, and a satisfied and competent nursing workforce.
ICN member organizations work to advance the field of nursing and healthcare via policies, partnerships, lobbying, professional...
ICN member organizations work to advance the field of nursing and healthcare via policies, partnerships, lobbying, professional...
01:26Methods Of Healthcare Delivery System
At the different levels of the healthcare system, we see varying methods of healthcare used. These methods include managed care systems, case management, and primary healthcare.
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
Managed Care System:
The managed care system is designed to control the cost while maintaining the quality of care. The patient's care from admission to discharge is planned by the primary care provider or the case manager, also known as the gatekeeper. In a managed care system, the number of care providers is limited...
01:11Guidelines for Writing Outcome
When developing expected outcomes for a patient care plan, the nurse should adhere to the following recommendations:
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...
01:15Nursing Evaluation
The evaluation stage signals the end of the nursing process. The nurse gathers evaluative data to assess whether or not the patient has attained the expected results. Whereas the nurse collects data in the nursing assessment to identify the patient's health concerns, the evaluation stage data determines if the indicated health issues are resolved. Evaluative data collection includes two sections: the data acquired to evaluate patient outcomes and the time criteria for data collection.
Section...
Section...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology (HIT)
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include: