An outcome-based quality score for mental health care using patient symptom reports
An Outcome-Focused Measure of Mental Health Care Quality based on Standardized Patient-Reported Symptoms
This project will build a straightforward quality score from regular patient symptom reports to help people with anxiety and depression find and get better mental health care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11325306 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be asked to share brief symptom reports on a regular basis during your routine mental health care. Researchers will combine those reports into a consistent score that shows how well care reduces symptoms across providers and clinics. The team will test the score in multiple community clinics and check that it works fairly for different populations. If the measure performs well it can be used by patients, clinics, and health plans to guide choices and improve care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults receiving routine treatment for anxiety or common depressive disorders who can complete brief symptom questionnaires during care.
Not a fit: People without anxiety or depressive symptoms, those not receiving regular care, or individuals unable to complete symptom reports are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this measure could help patients choose better providers and push clinics to improve treatment by showing who helps people feel better.
How similar studies have performed: Patient-reported outcome measures have improved care in some medical and mental health settings, but creating a widely used, transdiagnostic quality score for routine mental health care is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Alexander S. — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Young, Alexander S.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.