Search

Reviewing measurement-informed care in session with patients

This article explains why it's important to review completed measurement-informed care (MIC) surveys with patients, and offers best practices for integrating them into care.

Why reviewing measurement-informed care is important

It’s vital that providers engage in “deliberate practice” of reviewing scores and incorporating them into care. When patients take the time and effort to complete self-reported measures, but the provider does not review them, it not only deters future completion of measures but serves as a missed opportunity to personalize care.

Imagine measuring a patient’s vitals but never looking at the results or explaining them. This information is crucial for understanding a patient's health and making informed decisions about treatment. Similarly, providers who don't use completed measures miss valuable insights into their patients’ individual needs.

Best practices for incorporating measurement-informed care into patient care

Here are some best practice considerations for how to incorporate MIC survey responses into patient care.

Start every appointment with a quick review of measures

Integrate reviewing measurement survey responses (just like reviewing vitals) at the start of each session. Embedding this as a standard of care in your practice emphasizes the value and purpose of MIC to your patients and encourages engagement.

Discuss scores together

While reviewing scores on your own beforehand is helpful, dedicate time at the beginning of the session to discuss them collaboratively. For example, “Thank you for completing the check in survey, I noticed that one of the questions that asks about difficulty sleeping, you marked that it has been causing you problems nearly every day, that must be really difficult. Would you like to explore that together today? 

Track progress over time

A key benefit of MIC is monitoring score changes over time–whether that's shifts in overall score or on a single item. This opportunity for tangible reflection of progress, or lack thereof, serves as a clinical springboard for making treatment decisions. Consider a patient reporting feeling “stuck” in their depression despite the progress you feel they have made: compare their PHQ-9 scores from baseline to current to see if there has been a change. Even a small score reduction of a few points is of value to collaboratively recognize and celebrate as progress. MIC empowers patients to acknowledge treatment momentum based on their own self-report responses to the surveys, beyond the assessment of the provider.

Use MIC data to adapt care

Let’s be clear—nothing replaces your clinical assessment as a licensed provider. MIC is merely another tool in your clinical toolbox that complements your overall assessment. Just like you may discover a patient has high blood pressure and use that objective data to change up medications or treatment, consider how the MIC data you have access to could do the same. Often what we learn from MIC scores may lead us to update the treatment plan or shift the focus of care, consider medication adjustments or changes, re-assess the patient’s diagnosis and/or level of care, change up the interventions being used, or consider other ways to engage in therapeutic practices (ie. Motivational interviewing, CBT, DBT etc).  

Additional resources

For specific strategies on using MIC based on the data, see these additional resources.

Updated

Was this article helpful?

0 out of 0 found this helpful