“It was a turn around point for me personally.”
“The service was excellent and will continue to use the service.”
“Appreciated that there was a bilingual counsellor….”
“Felt the guest speakers were excellent, very helpful.”
“The support from staff and participants was amazing.”
“It really made a big difference just talking.”
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To continuously monitor and improve the quality of programming delivered.
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To provide outcomes-oriented evaluation of addiction-specific measures, treatment goals and process measures and life functioning measures.
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To determine client satisfaction levels.
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To provide reliable information and accountability to District, Provincial and Federal authorities.
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To inform program design and resource allocation decisions.
During the OMS monitoring period January 1 to December 31, 2003, 1167 eligible clients registered with Addiction Services. The OMS was initiated with 857 clients and 713 gave consent to participate. A total of 367 or 52% of clients successfully completed the process at 12 months post intake.
OMS is initiated when new clients register for service with Addiction Services for the first time. If consent is given, the client is asked to complete a 10-minute telephone survey 12-months post-intake. At any time during the treatment process a client may refuse to participate.
Information collected is coded and entered in electronic format for analysis. Additional data from Addiction Services client information system are also used. Results are reported in aggregate format only. Descriptive frequencies and cross tabulations are completed.
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Better informed clients taking greater interest in their treatment plans and personal outcomes.
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Staff commitment to excellence and evidence-based practices.
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Creates a ‘quality’ information feedback loop to staff, funders and other key stakeholders.
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Enhances professional credibility of Addiction Services programs.
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Instills confidence and trust in consumers and enhances ‘pride in service’ for providers.
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Opportunity to utilize outcomes information to guide current and future program design and delivery.
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Timely and more effective program resource allocation decisions.
- Clients are very willing to participate in providing feedback if asked.
- Be patient and persistent – moving from conceptualization to development to implementation to results can take a long time.
- Essential to build commitment and compliance throughout all levels of the organization.
- Approach ‘Outcomes Monitoring’ as a high priority – an essential activity for the organization.
- Identify resource needs realistically and commit resources to ensure sustainability.
