Routine outcome measurement in Australia

Abstract

Australia has been implementing routine outcome measurement in its specialized public sector mental health services for over a decade. It uses a range of clinician-rated and consumer-rated measures that are administered at set times during episodes of inpatient, ambulatory and community residential episodes of care. Routine outcome measurement is now embedded in service delivery, and data are made available in a variety of ways to different audiences. These data are used by policy-makers and planners to inform decisions about system-wide reforms, by service managers to monitor quality and effectiveness, and by clinicians to guide clinical decision-making and to promote dialogue with consumers. Consumers, carers and the general community can use these data to ensure that services are accountable for the care they deliver. This paper describes the status quo in Australia with respect to routine outcome measurement, discusses the factors that led to its successful implementation, and considers the steps that are necessary for its continued development.

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the work of our AMHOCN colleagues, Adam Clarke and Rosemary Dickson.

Dedication

In July 2013 our dear colleague and friend Professor Tom Trauer passed away. Tom was a true champion of routine outcome measurement, and was widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts. He was universally respected, and his contributions significantly shaped the course of routine outcome measurement in Australia and continue to influence our own work at AMHOCN.

Declaration of interest: AMHOCN is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.