background Routine outcome monitoring (rom) provides us with opportunities to study treatment outcome in daily clinical practice and to learn from the results.
aim To assess the changes that occur in the psychological and social functioning of patients in geriatric psychiatry who are suffering from substance dependence, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder, or personality disorder.
method We analysed data relating to 1,810 patients (aged 60-101) from nine mental health care organisations that together form SynQuest cv. The total scores and item scores on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for older people (Honos 65+) at the beginning and end of treatment were also analysed and were linked to the diagnosis.
results Patients improved significantly (es=0.8). The degree of improvement depended on the patient’s principal diagnosis; patients with a mood or anxiety disorder improved the most (es=1.0 and 0.8). The degree of improvement varied per Honos 65+ item. In particular, patients with ‘depressive problems’ and ‘other mental and behavioral problems’ showed considerable improvement.
conclusion Many older patients benefited from the treatment they received in gerontopsychiatry departments. This helps to give elderly patients with psychiatric disorders hope for the future. The scores on the individual items of the Honos 65+ can help clinicians to tailor treatment to the patient’s specific problems and to monitor and evaluate treatment outcome in conjunction with the patient.