Please note that there are limited spaces available for these workshops.

Workshop 1

Full day A$150
Title: How can we ensure the quality of training and support the use of outcome measurement in mental health?
From 09:30 – 16:30

Brief Overview: During this workshop we will explore and begin the development of a national outcomes training framework for Australia . We will review the requirements for initial training, ongoing training and the accreditation of trainers. However successful implementation of routine outcome measurement is simply more than training in a suite of measure, it requires the development of a workforce that can not only collect data but begin to use information to support clinical practice and service development. During this workshop we will explore the use of routine outcome measurement to support clinical governance, workforce development and quality improvement. During this workshop we will see that although training is important, implementation of routine outcome measurement is about managing change to ensure clinical practice development.

Workshop Conveners:
Tim Coombs
Director Training and Service Development, Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network
Creswell Surrao - Senior Program Manager, Statewide Mental Health Governance & Performance
Mental Health Division, Department of Health – Western Australia
Angie Hunter - Senior Project Officer, Sector Quality and Workforce Development
Mental Health and Drugs Division, Department of Human Services - Victoria

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Workshop 2

Half day A$75
Title: Issues and Challenges in using outcome information to improve mental health services for Indigenous populations: Considerations from Australian and New Zealand perspectives.
From 09:30 – 12:30

Brief Overview: Collection and use of routine measures of outcome in mental health services is designed to drive improved service provision for all people who utilise mental health services.

A key aspect of the collection and use of quality outcome information is considering its application and utility to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Maori and Pa cific populations.

Although Australia and New Zealand vary in the stages they have reached in implementation of outcome collection and use there is still a need to answer the question of “How do we apply routine outcome measure collection to the work we do to make a difference in the lives of the differing populations who use our services”?

Whilst it is clear that the issues will be different in their complexity and challenge for the different populations, it is possible that there are key principles or qualifications that must be considered and understood when considering the safe and effective use of outcome measures with these populations.

It is vital that systems are developed to support data analysis, inform best practice, improved service delivery and workforce development.

This workshop aims to:
•  Reflect on the progress to date in both New Zealand and Australia in use of outcome information with Indigenous populations
•  Examine the practical strategies and developments which support safe and appropriate use of outcome information
•  Identify future activities, strategies and developments needed to build on work already completed.

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Workshop 3

Half day A$75
Title: What's the story? Consumer and carer use and understanding of outcomes information.
From 13:00 – 16:30

Brief overview: Regular collection of outcome measurement has been implemented across Australia for a number of years. Multiple collections of data about consumers, mental health service activity and outcomes occur regularly but what happens to this data? Across Australia work is being undertaken which is aimed at turning data into information? Telling the story of mental health services and what happens to those people using them. But what is the story that this information tells, what do we know and how much of the story can consumers and carers access?

This workshop is in two parts.

Pa rt One will address the range of mental health information collected and consider what is accessible to consumers of mental health services and their carers. The participants will consider how much and what kind of information would be valuable and how might consumers and carers might use the information to support them in their various roles.

Pa rt Two will provide a demonstration and exploration of some of the information available at a state and federal level and will also offer a practical demonstration of how to read and understand the information presented.

Workshop Conveners:
Stewart Fenton - Consumer Coordinator, Statewide Mental Health Clinical Improvement Team, Queensland Health
Katie Weedon - Project Officer Consumer Participation, Sector Quality and Workforce Development, QUATRO VIC, Mental Health and Drugs Division, Department of Human Services

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Workshop 4

Full day A$150
Title: Routine outcome measurement and the assessment of change.
From 09:30 – 16:30

Brief overview: This whole-day workshop will review research and methods in inferring change from routinely collected measures. The workshop will cover those approaches that are appropriate when looking at changes in groups or aggregates, and those that are required when looking at change in the individual. Examples of ways to analyze and present change information will be compared and contrasted. The workshop will include contributions from two of the conference's keynote speakers: Professors Michael Lambert (USA) and Alastair Macdonald (UK).

Workshop Conveners:
Professor Tom Trauer - Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne

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