The multiple uses of routine mental health outcome measures in Australia and New Zealand: experiences from the field.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to describe the way in which particular Australian and New Zealand mental health services are making use of routine outcome data to foster clinical improvements for consumers.

Method: We invited individuals who are responsible for implementing outcome data collection across the two countries to describe exemplary practices occurring within their own services, and present the resultant information in the form of case studies.

Results: Outcome measurement is being used to guide clinical decision-making, engage consumers in treatment, foster a collaborative approach to care planning and goal setting, review consumers' progress with treatment, inform questions about consumers' eligibility for given programs, assist with discharge planning, improve the evidence-base on which services are founded, and evaluate particular models of service delivery.