A qualitative exploration of SMART Recovery meetings in Australia and the role of a digital platform to support routine outcome monitoring

Purpose: Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) and clinical feedback systems (CFS) are becoming prevalent in mental health services. The field faces several challenges to successful implementation. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of these challenges by exploring the patient perspective. Method: We report the findings from a qualitative, video assisted interview study of 12 patients from a Norwegian mental health outpatient clinic using ROM/CFS. Results: Our analysis resulted in three pairs of opposing experiences with using ROM/CFS: 1) Explicit vs. implicit use of CFS information, 2) CFS directing focus towards- vs. directing focus away from therapeutic topics and 3) Giving vs. receiving feedback. None of these were intrinsically helpful or hindering. Participants had vastly differing preferences for how to use ROM/CFS in clinical encounters, but all needed the information to be used in a meaningful way by their therapists. If not, ROM/CFS was at risk of becoming meaningless and hindering for therapy. Conclusion: These findings confirm and provide further nuance to previous research. We propose to consider ROM/CFS a clinical skill that should be a part of basic training for therapists. How to use and implement ROM/CFS skillfully should also be the focus of future research.

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Understanding routine outcome monitoring and clinical feedback in context: Introduction to the special section

Psychotherapy Research ◽

10.1080/10503307.2020.1866786 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 142-144

Author(s):

Andrew A. McAleavey ◽

Christian Moltu

Keyword(s):

Special Section ◽

Routine Outcome Monitoring ◽

Outcome Monitoring ◽

Clinical Feedback

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Matching research and practice: Prediction of individual patient progress and dropout risk for basic routine outcome monitoring

Psychotherapy Research ◽

10.1080/10503307.2021.1930244 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Kaline Mütze ◽

Michael Witthöft ◽

Wolfgang Lutz ◽

Anne-Kathrin Bräscher

Keyword(s):

Routine Outcome Monitoring ◽

Research And Practice ◽

Outcome Monitoring

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Treatment course and its predictors in patients with somatoform disorders: A routine outcome monitoring study in secondary psychiatric care

Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ◽

10.1002/cpp.2191 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 550-564

Author(s):

I.V.E. Carlier ◽

D.H. Andree Wiltens ◽

Y.R. van Rood ◽

T. van Veen ◽

J. Dekker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Care ◽

Somatoform Disorders ◽

Routine Outcome Monitoring ◽

Outcome Monitoring ◽

Monitoring Study

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Evaluation of an Online System for Routine Outcome Monitoring: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.29243 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Deanna Wiebe ◽

Pria Nippak ◽

Julien Meyer ◽

Shannon Remers

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Outcome Measures ◽

Service Providers ◽

Routine Outcome Monitoring ◽

Completion Rates ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Online System ◽

Health Service Providers ◽

Outcome Monitoring

BACKGROUND The use of Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) in the treatment of mental health has emerged as a method of improving psychotherapy treatment outcomes. Despite this, very few clinicians regularly use ROM in clinical practice. Online ROM has been suggested as a solution to increase adoption. OBJECTIVE To identify the influence of moving ROM online on client completion rates of self-reported outcome measures and to identify implementation and utilization barriers to online ROM by assessing clinicians’ views on their experience utilizing the online system over previous paper-based methods. METHODS Client completion rates of self-reported outcome measures were compared pre and post implementation of an online system of ROM. In addition, a survey questionnaire was administered to 340 mental health service providers regarding their perception of benefits with an online system of ROM. RESULTS Client completion rates of self-reported measures increased from 15% to 54% after moving online. Fifty-eight% of service providers found the new system less time consuming than previous paper-based ROM and 64% found that it helped monitor clients. However, the perceived value of the system remains in doubt as only 23% found it helped them identify clients at risk for treatment failure, and only 18% found it strengthened the therapeutic alliance. CONCLUSIONS Although the current study suggests mixed results regarding service providers’ views on their experience using an online system for ROM, it has identified barriers and challenges that are actionable for improvement.

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