Evaluating the patient journey through integrated mental health services using routinely collected data: utility of the DIALOG patient-reported outcome and experience measure

AIMS AND METHOD: DIALOG is a patient-reported outcome and experience measure. We analysed anonymised DIALOG scores routinely collected from East London NHS Foundation Trust. We aimed to (a) examine changes in DIALOG scores through the patient journey ('assessment', 'review' and 'discharge'); and (b) assess the impact of community mental health (CMH) transformation by comparing pre- and post-DIALOG scores. We analysed 11 198 DIALOG scores from 5007 patients in 2018-2019 and 2021-2022. RESULTS: DIALOG scores improved across treatment stages in both years. There was no clear difference pre- and post-CMH transformation, although in 2021-2022 there were lower satisfaction scores at referral. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: DIALOG showed sensitivity to change, supporting the utility of this scale in the evaluation of mental health services. The impact of CMH transformation was difficult to assess, due to potential confounders such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Routinely collected DIALOG data can help evaluate patient outcomes over time and inform service improvements.