Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T08:33:11.117Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Routine measurement of mental health service outcomes: Health of the Nation Outcome Scales in Nova Scotia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Stephen Kisely
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, Room 2.15d, Building LO3, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, Queensland 4131, Australia, email: [email protected]
Heather Robertson
Affiliation:
Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, and Health Outcomes Unit, Capital District Health Authority, Halifax
Karen Martin
Affiliation:
Mental Health Programme, South Shore Health, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
John Campbell
Affiliation:
Mental Health Programme, Annapolis Valley Health Authority, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Aims and Method

Although the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) were designed for routine clinical use, completion rates in clinical settings rarely exceed 60%. We evaluated two initiatives to increase completion rates: timely feedback to clinicians, useful at individual, team and service levels, and improved supporting materials (tabulated glossaries for all versions covering the life-span).

Results

Clinicians in South Shore Health district provided ratings on all outpatient referrals over 12 months as part of routine care. Data were captured using the Nova Scotia routine administrative data system. Completion rates rose from 61% to 86% (n=1190). Clinicians' ratings of the instrument's ease of use were significantly improved.

Clinical Implications

Use of a tabulated glossary and enhanced feedback of clinically useful information improved clinician support for the routine measurement of health outcomes with HoNOS.

Type
Original papers
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2008

References

Amin, S., Singh, S. P., Croudace, T., et al (1999) Evaluating the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales. Reliability and validity in a three-year follow-up of first-onset psychosis. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 399403.Google Scholar
Burns, A., Beevor, A., Lelliott, P., et al (1999a) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Elderly People (HoNOS 65+). British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 424427.Google Scholar
Burns, A., Beevor, A., Lelliott, P., et al (1999b) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Elderly People (HoNOS 65+). Glossary for HoNOS 65+ score sheet. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 435438.Google Scholar
Fonagy, P., Matthews, R. & Pilling, S. (2004) The Mental Health Outcomes Measurement Initiative: Report from the Chair of the Outcomes Reference Group. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Department of Health.Google Scholar
Fonagy, P., Matthews, R. & Pilling, S. (2005) The Mental Health Outcome Measurement Initiative: Best practice guidance for local implementation adapted from the Report from the Chair of the Outcomes Reference Group. National Institute for Mental Health in England.Google Scholar
Gowers, S. G., Harrington, R. C., Whitton, A., et al (1999a) A brief scale for measuring the outcomes of emotional and behavioural disorders in children: Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA). British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 413416.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gowers, S. G., Harrington, R. C., Whitton, A., et al (1999b) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for Children and Adolescents (HoNOSCA). Glossary for HoNOSCA score sheet. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 428431.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kisely, S., Campbell, L. A., Crossman, D., et al (2007) Are the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales a valid and practical instrument to measure outcomes in North America? A three-site evaluation across Nova Scotia. Community Mental Health Journal, 43, 91107.Google Scholar
Lauzon, S., Corbiere, M., Bonin, J. P., et al (2001) Validation of the French version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS-F). Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 46, 841846.Google Scholar
Orrell, M., Yard, P., Handysides, J., et al (1999) Validity and reliability of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales in psychiatric patients in the community. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 409412.Google Scholar
Pirkis, J. E., Burgess, P. M., Coombs, T., et al (2005a) Routine measurement of outcomes in Australia's public sector mental health services. Australia and New Zealand Health Policy, 2, 8 (http://www.anzhealthpolicy.com/content/2/1/8).Google Scholar
Pirkis, J. E., Burgess, P. M., Kirk, P. K., et al (2005b) A review of the psychometric properties of the Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales family of measures. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 3, 76.Google Scholar
Stein, G. S. (1999) Usefulness of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 375377.Google Scholar
Trauer, T., Callaly, T., Hantz, P., et al (1999) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales. Results of the Victorian field trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 174, 380388.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K., Curtis, R. H., Beevor, A. S. (1996) HoNOS: Health of the Nation Outcome Scales. Report on Research and Development July 1993–December 1995. Royal College of Psychiatrists.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K., Beevor, A. S., Curtis, R. H., et al (1998) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS): Research and development. British Journal of Psychiatry, 172, 1118.Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.