BACKGROUND
Traditionally, treatment outcomes in patients with a substance use disorder (SUD) are measured using objective and provider-reported indicators. Recently, there has been a shift towards incorporating Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREMs) to capture service users' perspectives on treatment outcomes and experiences.
OBJECTIVE
The OMER-BE study (Outcome Measurement and Evaluation as a Routine practice in alcohol and other drug services in Belgium) aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of PROMs and PREMs in different SUD treatment services, using the recently developed ICHOM Standard Set for Addictions. In this paper, we describe the design and baseline characteristics of the study.
METHODS
A convenience sample of 189 treatment seeking individuals with SUD from different inpatient services (therapeutic communities, psychiatric centers) and outpatient treatment services is followed for 6-months. Clinical factors, sociodemographic characteristics and PROMs are assessed at baseline, within 3 weeks after starting treatment. Additionally, PROMs and PREMs are measured 45, 90 and 180 days later.
RESULTS
Baseline differences are observed between the three treatment modalities regarding education, SUD treatment history, primary substance and ADHD self-report scores. Overall, patients in PC are higher educated and have less polysubstance use, while outpatients have fewer previous SUD treatments but receive relatively more often opioid agonist treatment. Inpatients report more ADHD symptoms and higher SUD severity than outpatients. Additionally, recovery strength scores are found to be significantly lower in the outpatient group compared to the other groups, particularly in the subdomains of ‘Substance Use,’ ‘Self-care,’ and ‘Outlook on Life’.
CONCLUSIONS
Measuring PROMs and PREMs appears to be feasible in a diverse group of treatment seeking patients with SUD in Belgium. Routine monitoring of these measures can empower patients, service providers and policymakers by providing a comprehensive understanding of service users’ needs and treatment effectiveness.