
Authors: Tom Trauer, Tom Callaly
Year: 2000
Event: 2000 TheMHS Conference
Subject: book of proceedings
Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers
ISBN: 187693901X
Abstract: Outcome assessment benefits from multiple perspectives, but these may differ. We aimed to compare client and clinician ratings on respective versions of a well-known outcome assessment scale. Case managers and their clients rated the client’s mental health problems using the clinician and self-rating forms of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS). One third of clients approached returned their self-rating form; non-return was associated with involuntary legal status. Client self-ratings were significantly higher (worse) than case manager ratings on four of the twelve HoNOS items, and significantly lower on one. Overall, agreement levels between clients and their case managers were slight to moderate, but particularly low for the depressed mood item. Case managers tended to overestimate the actual degree of similarity between their own ratings and those of their clients. The findings support the proposition that client and clinician perceptions of the client’s problems represent two different sets of information.
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