Shared Decision Making in Mental Health
with Routine Outcome Monitoring (ROM) as an information source.

Although up to now results of Shared Decision Making in mental health are comparable with physical health settings, few studies have been conducted in mental health. Besides the appliance of ROM as an information source in Shared Decision Making between client and practitioner is an innovative intervention in mental health. To our knowledge research to the usage of ROM in Shared Decision Making has not been available yet. One of the purposes of the Dutch Breakthrough ROM-project, funded by the Network for Quality Development in the Mental Health, is to implement ROM as a source in Shared Decision Making by teams in Mental Health Organisations and self-employed practitioners. Because there is little known about the effects of this intervention, it is desirable to evaluate the effects of the implementation of ROM as a tool in Shared Decision Making. In this study, we aim to research the appliance of ROM in Shared Decision Making about treatment options between client and practitioner.

In this study, we aim to research the appliance of ROM in Shared Decision Making about treatment options between client and practitioner. We will compare two different conditions. In one condition, the Breakthrough-intervention teams, Shared Decision Making with ROM will have been implemented before this study will start. In the other condition, the Shadow-control teams will implement Shared Decision Making with ROM in a later phase, after data collection for this study.



The primary outcome measure will be the client’s perception of shared decision making.
The secondary outcome parameter will be the client-practitioner relationship. Additionally we will investigate the influence on the client’s commitment to the treatment. Depends on the patient population we also look at the effects on the reduction of symptoms, the improvement of functioning in the society or quality of live. Overall we expect positive effects on the primary, secondary and additional outcome parameters in the Breakthrough teams which will implement shared decision making with ROM at first.

Three measurement points in 6 months:

T0 (baseline), T1 (+/- 3 months), T2 (+/- 6 months)
Inclusion patients in 3-4 months

Appliance of Routine Outcome monitoring in Shared Decision Making about treatment options between client and practitioner.

Routine Outcome Monitoring refers to regular measurements of clients’ progress in clinical practice, using standardized instruments, aiming to evaluate and, if necessary, adapt treatment.



Breakthrough, intervention teams, receive training in SDM & ROM model, support and coaching in the implementation.