Getting Better: Outcome Measurement and Resource Allocation in Psychiatry

Abstract

Traditionally, clinicians have been paid on the assumption that their advice or intervention helps the patient. This practice is being increasingly challenged – documented improvement is becoming a necessary condition for allocating staff or monetary resources. Traditionally, too, reputation and diplomas decorating a wall were the primary validators of a clinician's skill. Again, in an era of third party payment of health care, objective indices of patient outcome are becoming the new standard. In 1996, the first ‘Getting Better’ meeting on outcome measurement in psychiatry brought together a group of health professionals bound by a common interest, to endorse and promote the use of outcome measures in clinical practice and to shape the provision of care to improve outcomes [1]. The past two years have seen much activity in Australasia in the ‘outcomes’ area. The second ‘Getting Better’ Conference, held recently in Sydney, allowed participants to share their experience, enthusiasm and initiatives. Promine...