Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Why Some Clinicians Use Outcome Measures and Others Do Not

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Due to their potential as helpful clinical tools, it is necessary to understand the reasons why certain practitioners are currently using outcome measures and certain others are not. This study investigated the reasons why clinicians use outcome measures based upon factors such as work setting, theoretical orientation and source of payment. Similar analyses were conducted for reasons that clinicians do not use outcome measures. Findings suggest that several practical barriers are the primary reasons for not using outcome measures, although a subset of clinicians have additional concerns. Results also emphasized the need for clinicians to be trained on how to maximize the clinical benefits of formalized outcome assessment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barkham, M., Margison, F., Leach, C., Lucock, M., Mellor-Clark, J., Evans, C., Benson, L., Connell, J., Audin, K., & McGrath, G. (2001). Service profiling and outcomes benchmarking using the CORE-OM: Toward practice-based evidence in the psychological therapies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(2), 184–196.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bickman, L., Rosof-Williams, J., Salzer, M. S., Summerfelt, W. T., Noser, K., Wilson, S. J., & Karver, M. S. (2000). What information do clinicians value for monitoring adolescent client progress and outcomes? Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 31, 70–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawes, R. M. (1996). House of cards: Psychology and psychotherapy built on myth. New York, NY: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garland, A. F., Kruse, M., & Aarons, G. A. (2003). Clinicians and outcome measurement: What’s the use? Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, 30(4), 393–405.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hannan, C., Lambert, M., Harmon, C., Nielson, S., Smart, D., Shimokawa, K., & Sutton, S. (2005). A lab test and algorithms for identifying clients at risk for treatment failure. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61(2), 155–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield, D. R., & Ogles, B. M. (2004). The use of outcome measures by psychologists in clinical practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 35, 485–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hatfield, D. R. & Ogles, B. M. (2006). The influence of outcome measures in assessing client change and treatment decisions. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 325–337.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kordy, H., Hannöver, W., & Richard, M. (2001). Computer-assisted feedback-driven quality management for psychotherapy: The Struttgart–Heidelberg Model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(2), 173–183.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M. J. (2001). Psychotherapy outcome and quality improvement: Introduction to the special section on patient-focused research.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(2), 147–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M., Harmon, C., Slade, K., Whipple, J., & Hawkins, E. (2005). Providing feedback to psychotherapists on their patients’ progress: Clinical results and practice suggestions. Journal of Clinical Psychology,61(2), 165–174.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M. J., Whipple, J. L., Smart, D. W., Vermeersch, D. A., Nielsen, S. L., & Hawkins, E. J. (2001). The effects of providing therapists with feedback on patient progress during psychotherapy: Are outcomes enhanced? Psychotherapy Research, 11(1), 49–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambert, M. J., Whipple, J. L., Vermeersch, D. A., Smart, D. W., Hawkins, E. J., Nielson, S. L., et al. (2002). Enhancing psychotherapy outcomes via providing feedback on client treatment response: A replication. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, 9, 91–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lueger, R. J., Howard, K. I., Martinovich, Z., Lutz, W., Anderson, E. E., & Grissom, G. (2001). Assessing treatment progress of individual patients using expected treatment response models. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(2), 150–158.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Meehl, P. E. (1996). Clinical versus statistical prediction: A theoretical analysis and a review of the evidence (New Preface). Lanham, MD: Rowan and Littlefield/Jason Aronson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phelps, R., Eisman, E. J., & Kohout, J. (1998). Psychological practice and managed care: Results of the CAPP practitioner survey. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 29, 31–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whipple, J. L., Lambert, M. J., Vermeersch, D. A., Smart, D. W., Nielsen, S. L., & Hawkins, E. J. (2003). Improving the effects of psychotherapy: The use of early identification of treatment and problem-solving strategies in routine practice Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50(1), 59–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1020 Oakland Avenue, 218 Uhler Hall, Indiana, PA, 15705, USA

    Derek R. Hatfield

  2. Psychology Department, Ohio University, Athens, OH, 45701, USA

    Benjamin M. Ogles

Authors
  1. Derek R. Hatfield
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benjamin M. Ogles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Derek R. Hatfield.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hatfield, D.R., Ogles, B.M. Why Some Clinicians Use Outcome Measures and Others Do Not. Adm Policy Ment Health 34, 283–291 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-006-0110-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-006-0110-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation