Clinical supervisors' expectations and experiences with a routine outcome monitoring system in a psychotherapy training service

Introduction

Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) enables data-informed decision-making in mental health care, yet its implementation presents both benefits and challenges. To date, the literature on the perception of ROM implementation has extensively focussed on therapists and clients; hence, there is limited information available about the perceptions of supervisors in services that provide training for psychological interventions.

Methods

This qualitative study explored supervisors' expectations and experiences with a web-based ROM system in a university psychotherapy service. Through semi-structured interviews and framework analysis, two senior clinical supervisors' perspectives were examined before and after ROM implementation.

Results

Expectations highlighted the need for clinically useful information, adaptability and user-friendly interfaces. Supervisors anticipated using ROM data for case analysis, training and institutional learning. Following the implementation, supervisors recognised the system's utility in case supervision, enhancing understanding and facilitating learning processes. Perceived challenges included the potential misuse of information, client resistance and technological issues, underscoring the importance of ongoing communication and training during the implementation process. Additionally, supervisors provided some recommendations, such as enhancing system usability, providing comprehensive training, improving client engagement, refining data collection methods and conducting ongoing evaluation of the implementation process and promoting effective communication with clients.

Conclusions

These findings align with previous research, emphasising the significance of system adaptability and user-friendliness for effective ROM utilisation. Supervisors play a crucial role in fostering collaboration, providing feedback and integrating ROM into supervision. Overall, these insights contribute to refining our ROM implementation processes, as well as guiding future ROM adoption in similar centres interested in involving supervisors.