The Imperative of Outcome Assessment in Psychiatry

Abstract

This report describes the current conceptualization of outcome assessment in psychiatry and focuses on how assessment instruments can be built into psychiatric facility-based practice. First, the domains of clinical as sessment are outlined, with an emphasis on three ele ments : level of psychiatric symptoms, clinical function ing, and patient satisfaction. Examples of outcome instruments then are provided as well as the elements of their successful implementation. Finally, the value of linking outcome assessment to data on patient char acteristics and service utilization are discussed in order to gain insight into the relationship between treatment and outcome. The clinical, fiscal, and regulatory impera tives emerging for outcome assessment call for its de mystification and widespread application.