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