Patient-reported outcomes in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS): Use of idiographic and standardized measures

Abstract

Background

There is increasing emphasis on use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in mental health but little research on the best approach, especially where there are multiple perspectives.

Aims

To present emerging findings from both standardized and idiographic child-, parent- and clinician-rated outcomes in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and consider their correlations.

Method

Outcomes were collected in CAMHS across the UK. These comprised idiographic measures (goal-based outcomes) and standardized measures (practitioner-rated Children's Global Assessment Scale; child- and parent-rated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).

Results

There was reliable positive change from the beginning of treatment to later follow-up according to all informants. Standardized clinician function report was correlated with standardized child difficulty report (r  =  − 0.26), standardized parent report (r  =  − 0.28) and idiographic joint client-determined goals (r  =  0.38) in the expected directions.

Conclusions

These results suggest that routine outcome monitoring is feasible, and suggest the possibility of using jointly agreed idiographic measures alongside particular perspectives on outcome as part of a PROMs approach.

Keywords:

• routine outcome monitoring
• patient-reported outcomes
• CAMHS

Acknowledgements

The CORC committee at the time of writing (includes D.L., M.W. and T.F.): Ashley Wyatt, Steve Fuller, Alison Towndrow, Evette Girgis, Julie Elliott and Ann York. The CORC central team at the time of writing (included E.T. and H.F.) Jenna Bradley. The authors would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on earlier drafts.

Declaration of Interest: CORC is a learning collaboration of frontline practitioners registered as a not-for-profit company. Wolpert is a paid director 3 days a week. Ford and Law are unpaid directors. Deighton and Fugard provide part-time input, Trustam and Flannery full time.