Routine outcomes monitoring to support improving care for schizophrenia: report from the VA Mental Health QUERI.

Young AS, Niv N, Chinman M, Dixon L, Eisen SV, Fischer EP, Smith J, Valenstein M, Marder SR, Owen RR. Routine outcomes monitoring to support improving care for schizophrenia: report from the VA Mental Health QUERI. Community mental health journal. 2011 Apr 1; 47(2):123-35.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• MNT 02-210 – A Study of Strategies to Improve Schizophrenia Treatment
• MNT 03-213 – Implementing Effective, Collaborative Care for Schizophrenia

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Abstract:

In schizophrenia, treatments that improve outcomes have not been reliably disseminated. A major barrier to improving care has been a lack of routinely collected outcomes data that identify patients who are failing to improve or not receiving effective treatments. To support high quality care, the VA Mental Health QUERI used literature review, expert interviews, and a national panel process to increase consensus regarding outcomes monitoring instruments and strategies that support quality improvement. There was very good consensus in the domains of psychotic symptoms, side-effects, drugs and alcohol, depression, caregivers, vocational functioning, and community tenure. There are validated instruments and assessment strategies that are feasible for quality improvement in routine practice.