Table 1 List of capabilities

Outcome monitoring for provider is a prime function

System’s prime function is noted here.

Immediate feedback timing

System provides immediate feedback (i.e., within seconds; available upon screen refresh) to se to service provider upon data collection as opposed to a couple hours/days later, by mail or email, etc.

Provides standard gap feedback

Standard-gap feedback provides information to a user that compares data contained within system to information derived from an external source. This included standard gaps to norms, prior expectation, past performance, performance of other groups, ideal goal.

Alerts to provider

Alerts are made to service provider in order to bring critical information to the user’s attention in ways that circumvent the usual pathway of providing information. May include emails, pop- ups, flags, etc.

Corrective feedback from system

System provides corrective feedback (i.e., feedback aimed at changing a provider's approach, strategy or treatment decision) to service provider with the aim of producing a more positive treatment outcome.

Makes referrals

System facilitates referrals for additional services (i.e., those other than the reason why the MFS- facilitated contact occurred) either in-house (within an agency) or to a different organization

Compares service providers to other providers

System is able to compare users to other providers in various ways e.g., how often providers use system, how compliant they are to system.

Alerts to others

Alerts are made to individuals other than the service provider, i.e., supervisors, guardians, etc.

Compares treatment outcomes to user defined goals

System is able to compare treatment outcomes across time to previously established individual treatment targets.

Data capabilities

Capabilities of the MFS related to how data can be displayed, disseminated, and manipulated

Summary reports

System creates a static snapshot of relevant information, likely designed for (1) paper chart documentation or (2) sharing with some party (e.g., supervisor, insurance company, client). This report will likely include only a subset of the information available in system.

Displays outcomes as graphs

System has ability to produce a graphic display of various outcomes.

Aggregate data at multiple levels

System is able to present data on various levels beyond the individual treatment recipient level, e.g., by treatment provider, center, measure, etc.

View option of treatment recipient

System gives service provider the ability to view a single client’s relevant information.

Summary reports for service recipient

A static summary report specifically designed to be shared with the service recipient.

Customizability capabilities

Capabilities associated with how and what aspects of the MFS can be altered to fit a site, provider, or service recipient’s unique needs.

Library of measures to choose from

System provides two or more measures that users can choose to utilize on a case-by-case or program-by- program basis.

Provider determines frequency of measure administration

Service provider has the ability to determine how often measures are administered by system; frequency is not set by system.

New tools and measures can be added

New outcome monitoring tools, instruments, or measures are able to be added to system.

Ability to create idiographic tracking mechanisms

System has ability to create idiographic tracking mechanisms that may be used to measure progress related to the individual treatment targets recorded by system.

Customizable dashboard

System user is able to customize and determine what information appears on/in system dashboard.

Provider can add new tools directly

Individual service providers are able to add new outcome monitoring tools themselves rather than other parties, i.e., supervisors or system administrators.

Ability to customize alerts

System allows for customizable alerts, e.g., timing of alerts, mode of alert delivery, types of alerts, etc.

Tracking capabilities

Capabilities associated with the MFS’s ability to capture outcomes and processes that are relevant to a service recipient’s progression through treatment.

Tracks standardized outcomes

Outcomes are specified, quantitative treatment targets that may reasonably be believed to result from the intervention. May include mental/behavioral health (e.g., depression, conduct problems, other symptoms), client functioning across domains (e.g., work, school, social, etc.), physical health, etc. Outcomes may include standardized (i.e., norm-referenced) assessment scales or idiographic (i.e., individualized) outcomes.

Tracks idiographic measures relevant to treatment process

System is able to track idiographic/non-standardized outcomes (e.g., OCD compulsions, tantrums, self-injury incidents).

Tracks therapeutic processes

System tracks therapeutic processes related to treatment, e.g., therapeutic alliance, engagement/motivation.

Tracks interventions delivered by providers

System allows for tracking over time of specified treatment protocol or intervention element/subcomponent use (e.g., exposure therapy, mindfulness exercises, etc.).

Tracks/measures individual treatment targets (goals)

System is able to track and measure the individual treatment targets/goals that were recorded by the system.

Records treatment goals

System is able to explicitly record defined individual treatment goals for the service recipient.

Tracks critical events for service recipient

System allows for indicating the occurrence of important/clinically-relevant events (e.g., suicide attempt, fights with significant others) at discrete points in time regardless of whether these have been previously identified for ongoing monitoring.