A review and update of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS).

Unlabelled: Aims and method The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) and its older adults' version (HoNOS 65+) have been used widely for 20 years, but their glossaries have not been revised to reflect clinicians' experiences or changes in service delivery. The Royal College of Psychiatrists convened an international advisory board, with UK, Australian and New Zealand expertise, to identify desirable amendments. The aim was to improve rater experience by removing ambiguity and inconsistency in the glossary rather than more radical revision.

A clinical psychologist in GP-Land: an evaluation of brief psychological interventions in primary care.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and other impacts of brief therapy provided in a primary care setting by a clinical psychologist who was mainly employed in secondary mental health.

Method: The outcomes of 23 primary care patients referred to a clinical psychologist were evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the World Health Organisation Quality of Life (WHOQoL) scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). A mixture of quantitative and qualitative data from patients and staff were analysed to identify other impacts of the intervention.

Care coordinators: a controlled evaluation of an inpatient mental health service innovation.

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of introducing designated care coordinators into an acute mental health inpatient unit in terms of service delivery, clinical outcomes, and service user and significant other perceptions. A pre-post-controlled design was implemented with a consecutive sample of 292 service users admitted and staying more than 5 days in two wards, with care coordinators introduced in one ward. Data were obtained from clinical records, standard measures, and service user and significant other surveys.

Community solutions for the community's problem: an evaluation of three New Zealand community-based treatment programs for child sexual offenders.

The recidivism rate of 203 people mandated by the courts to attend three community-based child sexual offender treatment programs (175 treatment cases and 28 assessment-only cases) was assessed and compared with a probation comparison group. The recidivism rate was 8.1% for all participants treated in the community-based programs and 5.

Workforce Factors for Psychologists in CAMHS in New Zealand.

Background:   Recruitment and retention of psychologists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is difficult worldwide. This study: 1) identified factors that promote or hinder recruitment and retention of CAMHS psychologists; 2) explored training and its impact on CAMHS as a career choice; and 3) identified strategies to improve recruitment and retention of CAMHS psychologists in New Zealand.

Method:   Surveys were undertaken with four New Zealand groups: 1) all registered psychologists; 2) final-year professional psychology interns; 3) directors for professional psychology training programmes; and 4) psychology professional leaders in the public health system.

Walking apart but towards the same goal? The view and practices of Tongan traditional healers and western-trained Tongan mental health staff.

This study explored the mental health-related beliefs and practices of Tongan Traditional Healers and Tongan workers in the Western-style mental health services in Tonga. The groups showed very different explanatory models and treatment methods for mental health difficulties. A variety of methods, similar to those reported in other Pacific communities, were used by the Tongan Traditional Healers.