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Are the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales a Valid and Practical Instrument to Measure Outcomes in North America? A Three-Site Evaluation Across Nova Scotia

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Abstract

We tested the usability, sensitivity and validity of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) in routine clinical practice in North America. Three pilot sites provided ratings on all inpatient and outpatient referrals over 4 months using versions covering children and adolescents (HoNOSCA), working-age adults and the over-65s. Data were entered using the routine administrative data system. Sixty-one percent of eligible patients had at least one HoNOS rating (n = 485). Following the initial rating, subsequent completion rates reached 80%. Ratings were sensitive to time and setting, with significantly higher scores in inpatients than outpatients. Individual diagnoses had different patterns of scores, further supporting validity.

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Acknowledgments

The Nova Scotia Department of Health provided funding for the study. We also wish to thank the clinicians who completed the forms and the following past and present members of the Mental Health Monitoring Working Group at the Nova Scotia Health Department: A. Mackenzie, B. Macconnell, K. Briand, C. Gilbert, L. Judge, S. Shaddick, T. Prime, M. Pennock, G. Doyle-Bedwell and K. Martin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada

    Stephen Kisely M.D., M.Sc. & Leslie Anne Campbell M.Sc.

  2. Health Outcomes Unit, Capital District Health Authority, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Stephen Kisely M.D., M.Sc. & Leslie Anne Campbell M.Sc.

  3. South Shore Health, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Doug Crossman M.A.Sc.

  4. Colchester East Hants Health Authority Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Stephen Gleich M.Sc.

  5. Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada

    Stephen Gleich M.Sc.

  6. Nova Scotia Health Department, Mental Health Branch, Hollis St, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    John Campbell M.PA., Ph.D.

  7. Centre for Clinical Research, Dalhousie University, 5790 University Avenue, Room 425, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1V7, Canada

    Stephen Kisely M.D., M.Sc.

Authors
  1. Stephen Kisely M.D., M.Sc.
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  2. Leslie Anne Campbell M.Sc.
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  3. Doug Crossman M.A.Sc.
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  4. Stephen Gleich M.Sc.
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  5. John Campbell M.PA., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Stephen Kisely M.D., M.Sc..

Additional information

Stephen Kisely is affiliated with the Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology; Health Outcomes Unit, Capital District Health Authority; Centre for Clinical Research, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Leslie Anne Campbell is affiliated with the Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health and Epidemiology; Health Outcomes Unit, Capital District Health Authority, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Doug Crossman is affiliated with the South Shore Health, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Stephen Gleich is affiliated with the Colchester East Hants Health Authority Department of Psychiatry; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada.

John Campbell is affiliated with the Nova Scotia Health Department, Mental Health Branch, Hollis St., Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

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Kisely, S., Campbell, L.A., Crossman, D. et al. Are the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales a Valid and Practical Instrument to Measure Outcomes in North America? A Three-Site Evaluation Across Nova Scotia. Community Ment Health J 43, 91–107 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-006-9067-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-006-9067-2

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