The Use of Outcome Measures by Psychologists in Clinical Practice

Hatfield, Derek R.
Ogles, Benjamin M.

¹Ohio University

²CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THIS ARTICLE should be addressed to Derek R. Hatfield, 200 Porter Hall, Athens, OH 45701. E-mail: [email protected].

DEREK R. HATFIELD received his MS in clinical psychology from Ohio University, where he is currently a doctoral student. His primary areas of research are outcome assessment and clinical judgment and decision making.

BENJAMIN M. OGLES received his PhD in clinical psychology from Brigham Young University. He is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Ohio University. His research is focused on the assessment of outcome for mental health services.

We thank Michael J. Lambert for his suggestions concerning this survey and the preparation of this article.

Received August 13, 2002; Revision received July 21, 2003; Accepted September 4, 2003

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 35(5):p 485-491, October 2004.

This survey investigated psychologists' use of outcome measures in clinical practice. Of the respondents, 37% indicated that they used some form of outcome assessment in practice. A wide variety of measures were used that were rated by the client or clinician. Clinicians who assess outcome in practice are more likely to be younger, have a cognitive-behavioral orientation, conduct more hours of therapy per week, provide services for children and adolescents, and work in institutional settings. Clinicians who do not use outcome measures endorse practical (e.g., cost, time) and philosophical (e.g., relevance) barriers to their use. Both users and nonusers of outcome measures were interested in similar types of information, including client progress since entering treatment, current strengths and weaknesses, and determining if there is a need to alter treatment. Implications for practicing clinicians are discussed.