Defining a standard set of outcomes for patients with psychosis

Abstract Background A working group (WG) of researchers, clinicians, and service users was created to develop a Standard Set of Psychotic Disorder Outcomes. This study describes the ICHOM framework to create a minimum Standard Set of outcomes for Psychotic Disorders. Methods The WG defined the scope of the project to include adolescents and adults meeting DSM-5 criteria for schizophrenia spectrum disorders or bipolar I disorder. A systematic literature review was conducted to extract patient outcomes. The WG then selected outcomes for this minimum standard set using an online modified Delphi consensus technique, throughout a series of video-conference calls. Outcome measures were identified through additional literature searches using a Terwee filter. These were evaluated by inclusion criteria, namely psychometric properties, feasibility of implementation, licensing fees and available translations. Results In total, 7074 studies were screened for outcome extraction. Outcomes were extracted from the 239 of these which passed eligibility criteria. The WG voted to include 17 outcomes, grouped into 7 domains (symptoms, treatment, recovery, functioning, quality of life, physical health and safety). A further 24 outcomes were identified for bipolar disorder, grouped within the same domains. Conclusions The outcomes recommended by the working group enable meaningful and standardized assessment of psychotic disorders worldwide. Adoption of the ICHOM framework can facilitate informed decision-making by healthcare providers, long term monitoring and improved global treatment outcomes in the long term. Key messages Standard set provides a valid and easy tool for healthcare workers for measuring outcomes. Value based health care and outcomes measures could globally improve healthcare and at the same time reduce healthcare cost.