CLAHRC BITE

Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) A bite-sized summary of a project within CLAHRC Yorkshire and Humber

Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) – a new outcome measure in mental health

September 2017

There is an increasing commitment from Government to improve recovery in quality of life for service users with mental health problems, but it is difficult to do this without a tool that can measure quality of life, that is meaningful to both health professionals and service users. One of the aims of the NIHR CLAHRC YH Health Economics and Outcomes Measurement Theme is to explore the different methods for collecting outcomes in services for mental health, child health and the frail elderly. Our objective was to develop a new Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) available to healthcare professionals to help them assess quality of life for people with different mental health conditions. A PROM is a questionnaire that patients complete about their health. The questionnaires are important as they are used to help evaluate and improve mental health services from the viewpoint of the patient.

Method ReQoL has been developed in collaboration with a wide range of mental-health related institutions and groups. Over 100 patients from diverse backgrounds were interviewed to develop the themes underpinning the ReQoL, and a further 6500 patients tested the validity of the measure. The measure was constructed using qualitative data and robust quantitative methods. Initial findings suggests that the measure is able to detect change across the broad spectrum of mental health conditions from mild to severe. Findings ReQoL provides an important basis for a new measure that better reflects the way different mental health problems impact on the lives of people who use mental health services. Work over the final two years of the project will focus on how to meaningfully implement the data in the NHS to improve health outcomes for patients with mental health problems. Over 80 trusts across England are looking to implement Re-Qol and we are working to support them in this work. ReQoL is currently available in English and Hindi and work is also taking place to translate ReQoL to different languages. Outputs The main output from this research is the development of two versions of a new Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) called ReQoL. Licences are now available and free for the NHS and publicly funded research. References Keetharuth, Brazier et al, on behalf of the ReQoL Scientific Group. Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL): a new generic self-reported outcome measure for use with people experiencing mental health difficulties. British Journal of Psychiatry (In press). Keetharuth, Brazier et al. Development and Validation of the Recovering Quality of Life (ReQoL) Outcome Measures. Policy Research Unit in Economic Evaluation of Health and Care Interventions. Universities of Sheffield and York. EEPRU Research Report 050. goo.gl/UpPk4E (PDF file) Contact details: Dr Anju Keetharuth [email protected] Lizzie Taylor-Buck [email protected] Website: To find out more about ReQoL visit the website at www.reqol.org.uk/p/overview.html Licences for ReQoL can be obtained at goo.gl/91rrF9

Delivering innovative research through effective partnerships

What are CLAHRCs? CLAHRCs are collaborative partnerships between National Health Service, public services and Higher Education Institutions, focused on improving patient outcomes through the conduct and application of applied health research and evidence based implementation. Nine CLAHRC pilots ran 2008 -  2013, becoming established NIHR Infrastructure from 2014 with 13 CLAHRCs across England. CLAHRC YH will undertake high quality applied research and evidence based implementation that is responsive to, and in partnership with, our collaborating organisation, patient, carers and the public. The outcome being an improvement in both the health and wealth of the population of Yorkshire and Humber. This research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research. The views and opinions expresses in this BITE are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

www.clahrc-yh.nihr.ac.uk