VALIDATION OF THE PANIC OUTCOMES MODULE

This article discusses the validation of a module designed to evaluate the outcomes of clinical care for panic disorder The research utilize d a longitudinal design to examine cross-sectional relationships and c hange over time within and between subjects. Baseline, follow-up, and test-retest data were collected on 73 patients. The initial field test indicates that the Panic Outcomes Module measures outcomes and case-m ix characteristics with acceptable level of measurement error for grou p data. The module's measure of change in panic severity demonstrated encouraging agreement with the structured interviewer's judgement of c hange. This module, completed in approximately 20 minutes, is short en ough to incorporate into outpatient mental health settings. We recomme nd that providers and administrators interested in monitoring the outc omes of specialty care for panic disorder seek assistance from health services researchers to use the Panic outcomes module. Further researc h is needed to validate this module for use in primary care population s.