Routine outcome assessment in mental health research

Routine outcome assessment is a major tool for outcome management. It has b roadened the field of evaluation and its traditional methods, giving rise t o a new set of instruments, such as the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales . However, most challenges posed by routine outcome assessment have yet to be resolved, including conceptual issues, instrument selection and standard ization, and appropriate data analysis. Because of its significant contribu tions to improving quality of care, management planning and decision making , routine outcome assessment is sure to become a widely discussed psychiatr ic topic in the near future. Curr Opin Psychiatry 12:207-210. (C) 1999 Lipp incott Williams & Wilkins.