A web-based tool to support shared decision making between clinicians and patients in routine outcome monitoring

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Since 2007, Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) assessments have been a regular element in care for people with psychotic disorders in the northern provinces of the Netherlands. The ROM protocol which is specifically developed for people with psychotic disorders - this protocol is called Phamous - consists of a physical investigation (e.g., weight, height, waist measurement and glucose levels), multiple interviews and questionnaires concerning psychiatric and psychosocial issues, and service user satisfaction (www.phamous.eu). All service users with schizophrenia who receive care from any mental health care organization involved take part in ROM assessment at least once a year. After completion of the assessment, the parameters of the ROM assessment are uploaded into a central database by clinicians and research nurses via a link in the patient’s electronic file. Currently, the ROM-results are only reported to clinicians. Clinicians are supposed to discuss the results with their patients so that they can mutually decide whether the course of treatment needs readjustment. However, a large percentage of service users do not receive adequate feedback concerning their ROM-results, as clinicians are not yet accustomed to discussing ROM results with service users.
In an attempt to improve ROM practice and to increase potential for service user empowerment, we developed a prototype of a web-based support system that provides service users diagnosed with accessible information about their ROM results, which may enable them to participate in shared decision making.

Who can participate?
Male and female patients aged >18 years diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, fluent in Dutch and participating in Phamous assessments.

What does the study involve?
In this study, participants will be randomly allocated to an intervention group or a control group. In the intervention group, patients are invited to use the web-based support system. This web system provides patients with information about ROM, access to their ROM results, and access to individualized advice based on these ROM results. Patients in the control group receive care as usual.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Patients in the intervention group can benefit from participating in the study as they can access their ROM results and get personalized advice based on these results. As a consequence, they have the opportunity to better prepare themselves for the ROM evaluation meeting with their clinician. We do not expect any risks.

Where is the study run from?
The study takes place at the University Center for Psychiatry at the University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in March 2013 and will run until November 2013.

Who is funding the study?
1. Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw)
2. Foundation for Mental Health (Fonds Psychische Gezondheid), Netherlands)
3. ICT regie, Netherlands
3. Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport under the name WEGWEIS, Netherlands

Who is the main contact?
Dr Sjoerd Sytema
s.sytema@umcg.nl

Contact information

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• Netherlands

Study participating centre

Results and Publications

Study outputs