Implementing routine outcome measures in child and adolescent mental health services: from present to future practice.

Background: Routine outcome measurement (ROM) in CAMHS is supported by U.K. Government policy. However, little is known about how measures are used in practice.

Method: Data describing use of ROM, knowledge and attitudes regarding implementation were collected using a regional case-note audit, online survey and stakeholder workshop.

Results: While the principle of ROM was supported by stakeholders, baseline and follow-up outcome measurement occurred in less than a fifth of cases. Barriers to implementation included lack of training and resources, clinicians' perceptions of the limitations of existing measures and lack of regular feedback of outcome data.

Conclusions: Implementation of ROM may be facilitated by session-by-session measures with immediate feedback to clinicians and patients.