Measuring disability, need and outcome in Australian community mental health services

Objective: This study trialled routine measurement of disability, need and outcome in mental health services within Sydney. Method: Fifteen community mental health clinicians with a combined caseload of 283 patients participated in the study. The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) was used to assess disability and outcome and the patient and staff versions of the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) were used to assess need. Results: The HoNOS and CAN appear to be promising contenders for routine use. Patients receiving assertive case management were rated as having higher levels of disability and need than patients receiving standard case management. Significant change in outcome was demonstrated with the HoNOS. Conclusions: To ensure the continued measurement of consumer outcome, issues such as staff education, training, and the development of computerised information systems should be addressed.