BACKGROUND: The weaknesses inherent in rom-data in mental health care are largely ignored in Dutch discussions about the pros and cons of rom. AIM: To promote awareness among users and potential users of rom with regard to the limitations of rom data in mental health care. METHOD: We present a discussion of three types of measurement problems connected with the use of rom data in mental health care: (a) arbitrary calculation rules for identifying changes that are reliable and of clinical significance, (b) arbitrary metrics and constructs and (c) forced objectivation of subjective information. RESULTS: rom measurements are unreliable for use in mental health care because they lack a stable basis. The problems with these measurements are both psychometric and substantive. CONCLUSION: Anyone using or planning to use rom measurements in mental health care should be aware of fundamental measurement problems associated with rom.
BACKGROUND: The weaknesses inherent in rom-data in mental health care are largely ignored in Dutch discussions about the pros and cons of rom. AIM: To promote awareness among users and potential users of rom with regard to the limitations of rom data in mental health care. METHOD: We present a discussion of three types of measurement problems connected with the use of rom data in mental health care: (a) arbitrary calculation rules for identifying changes that are reliable and of clinical significance, (b) arbitrary metrics and constructs and (c) forced objectivation of subjective information. RESULTS: rom measurements are unreliable for use in mental health care because they lack a stable basis. The problems with these measurements are both psychometric and substantive. CONCLUSION: Anyone using or planning to use rom measurements in mental health care should be aware of fundamental measurement problems associated with rom.
Authors: Richard C Oude Voshaar; Ton D F Dhondt; Mario Fluiter; Paul Naarding; Sanne Wassink; Maureen M J Smeets; Loeki P R M Pelzers; Astrid Lugtenburg; Martine Veenstra; Radboud M Marijnissen; Gert-Jan Hendriks; Lia A Verlinde; Robert A Schoevers; Rob H S van den Brink Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2019-06-17 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Simone J W Verhagen; Juliënne A Berben; Carsten Leue; Anne Marsman; Philippe A E G Delespaul; Jim van Os; Richel Lousberg Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-10-12 Impact factor: 3.240