Routine Outcome Monitoring

Abstract

Abstract This chapter presents a rationale for routine outcome monitoring (ROM), definitions, and a description of its main features. Three main phases of using ROM are collecting patient data on a regular basis; feedback of the meaning of data to patients by therapists; and, where necessary, adapting the course or content of the therapy. A clinical case is presented for individual psychotherapy. Previous meta-analyses are summarized, and three high-quality, low risk of bias studies are presented. An abridged format of the most comprehensive and recently published meta-analysis comprising 58 studies is presented. That analysis of distal, end-of-treatment outcomes yielded effect sizes (g) ranging from 0.15 and 0.17 for the total sample and not-on-track (NOT) cases, respectively, to 0.36 for NOT cases with the addition of clinical support tools. These effects are additive to the existing effects of psychological therapies. The chapter concludes with diversity considerations, training implications, and therapeutic practices.