Individualized and Standardized Outcome Measures: Further Arguments in Favor of Cohabitation

Effects and experiences of idiographic patient-reported outcome measures for feedback in psychotherapy: A systematic review and secondary analysis of the empirical literature

Objective: There is a growing interest in idiographic patient-reported outcome measures (I-PROMs) for routine outcome monitoring (ROM) and clinical feedback (CF) in psychotherapy, but to our knowledge, no systematic reviews of the empirical literature. Method: We conducted a systematic literature search for empirical papers investigating effects and experiences of I-PROMs for ROM/CF and found a total of 13 papers. There was only one experimental controlled effectiveness study. Results: We formulated a narrative summary of the data set as a whole. We conducted a secondary analysis of nine papers containing qualitative data on stakeholder experiences with I-PROMs and found three superordinate themes and eight subthemes, summarized as "I-PROMs can facilitate self-reflection for patients, assist in identifying and tracking therapeutic topics, and make patients more committed to therapy by giving them a greater sense of responsibility and empowerment. Formulating goals and problems can be difficult, and lack of progress can be demotivating. Time in therapy is precious and must be spent wisely. Effective use of I-PROMs is facilitated by flexibility and therapists' use of clinical skills." Conclusion: We discuss the limitations of the study and provide recommendations for future research and clinical practice.

Standardized outcome measures of mental health in research with older adults who are incarcerated

PURPOSE

The targeted use of standardized outcome measures (SOMs) of mental health in research with older adults who are incarcerated promotes a common language that enables interdisciplinary dialogue, contributes to the identification of disparities and supports data harmonization and subsequent synthesis. This paper aims to provide researchers with rationale for using "gold-standard" measures used in research with community-dwelling older adults, reporting associated study sample psychometric indexes, and detailing alterations in the approach or measure.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

The authors highlight the mental health of older adults who are incarcerated. They also discuss the benefits of SOMs in practice and research and then identify gold-standard measures of mental health used in research with community-dwelling older adults and measures used in research with older adults who are incarcerated. Finally, the authors provide several recommendations related to the use of SOMs of mental health in research with this population.

FINDINGS

Depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are common among older adults who are incarcerated. Researchers have used a variety of measures to capture these mental health problems, some parallel to those used with community-dwelling samples. However, a more targeted use of SOMs of mental health in research with this population will contribute to important strides in this burgeoning field.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

This review offers several practical recommendations related to SOMs of mental health in research with older adults who are incarcerated to contribute to a rigorous evidence base and thus inform practice and potentially improve the health and well-being of this population.

What Gets Measured Gets Done: How Mental Health Agencies can Leverage Measurement-Based Care for Better Patient Care, Clinician Supports, and Organizational Goals

Mental health clinicians and administrators are increasingly asked to collect and report treatment outcome data despite numerous challenges to select and use instruments in routine practice. Measurement-based care (MBC) is an evidence-based practice for improving patient care. We propose that data collected from MBC processes with patients can be strategically leveraged by agencies to also support clinicians and respond to accountability requirements. MBC data elements are outlined using the Precision Mental Health Framework (Bickman et al. in Adm Policy Mental Health Mental Health Serv Res 43:271-276, 2016), practical guidance is provided for agency administrators, and conceptual examples illustrate strategic applications of one or more instruments to meet various needs throughout the organization.