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Health of the Nation Outcome Scales: A case study in general psychiatry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Vimal K. Sharma ,
Greg Wilkinson  and
Simon Fear
Vimal K. Sharma
Affiliation:
University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool
Greg Wilkinson
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool, Liverpool
Simon Fear*
Affiliation:
University of Liverpool, Liverpool
*
Dr Simon Fear, Lecturer in Medical Statistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GA
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Abstract

Background

Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) were incorporated in a data set recording the routine clinical activities of a mental health team in Liverpool.

Aims

To evaluate the use of HoNOS in general adult psychiatry.

Method

All consecutive patients who came in contact with the mental health team were administered HoNOS by the consultant psychiatrist. A cohort (n=204) of patients was identified over a period of 8 months. All patients (n=156) who had a repeat HoNOS after an interval of 6 months were included in the study.

Results

There was an overall reduction in HoNOS scores after an interval of 6 months, more so among patients with psychotic and affective disorders. Patients scoring on other disorders showed no change on HoNOS. The measured change in clinical state based on the Clinical Global Impression scale was broadly consistent with HoNOS scores.

Conclusions

It was feasible to administer HoNOS during routine assessments, but HoNOS data were of limited value in care-planning in day-today clinical practice. The widespread adoption of HoNOS for use in routine clinical practice would be premature.

Type
HoNOS Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 174 , Issue 5 , May 1999 , pp. 395 - 398
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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Footnotes

Declaration of interest

This was a joint project between the Mental Health Directorate, University Hospital Aintree and Liverpool Health Authority.

References

Department of Health (1992) Health of the Nation. London: HMSO.Google Scholar
Guy, W. (1976) ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmocology (revised DHEW pub. ADM). Rockville. MD: National Institute of Mental Health.Google Scholar
Taylor, J. R. & Wilkinson, G. (1997) HoNOS v. GP opinion in a shifted out-patient dink. Psychiatric bulletin, 21, 483–485.Google Scholar
Willdnson, G., Williams, B., Krehorian, H., et al (1992) QUALY in mental health: a case study. Psychological Medicine, 22, 725–731.Google Scholar
Wing, J. K., Beevor, A. S., Curtis, R. H., et al (1998) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). Research and development. British Journal of Psychiatry, 172, 11–18.Google Scholar
World Health Organization (1992) The ICD-10 Classification of Mental and behavioural Disorders. Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
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