ORCID
- Stuart G. Spicer: 0000-0001-7585-8886
- Richard Byng: 0000-0001-7411-9467
Abstract
Aims and method DIALOG is a patient-reported outcome and experience measure. We analysed anonymised DIALOG scores routinely collected from East London NHS Foundation Trust. We aimed to (a) examine changes in DIALOG scores through the patient journey (‘assessment’, ‘review’ and ‘discharge’); and (b) assess the impact of community mental health (CMH) transformation by comparing pre- and post-DIALOG scores. We analysed 11 198 DIALOG scores from 5007 patients in 2018–2019 and 2021–2022. Results DIALOG scores improved across treatment stages in both years. There was no clear difference pre- and post-CMH transformation, although in 2021–2022 there were lower satisfaction scores at referral. Clinical implications DIALOG showed sensitivity to change, supporting the utility of this scale in the evaluation of mental health services. The impact of CMH transformation was difficult to assess, due to potential confounders such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Routinely collected DIALOG data can help evaluate patient outcomes over time and inform service improvements.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2026-04-01
Publication Title
BJPsych Bulletin
ISSN
2056-4694
Acceptance Date
2026-01-01
Deposit Date
2026-06-10
Funding
East London NHS Foundation Trust commissioned the University of Plymouth to conduct this evaluation. Funding was awarded to the University of Plymouth following a competitive tender process. S.G.S., R.By., K.S. and P.S. were additionally funded and supported by the National Institute for Health & Care Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula. R.By. and A.S. contributed to the evaluation as University of Plymouth partners; they are employed by East London Foundation Trust.
Additional Links
Keywords
clinical outcome measures, community mental health teams, evidence-based mental health, Mental health services, primary care
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
First Page
1
Last Page
9
Recommended Citation
Spicer, S., Bhattacharya, R., Smalley, K., Shetty, A., Sharpe, P., & Byng, R. (2026) 'Evaluating the patient journey through integrated mental health services using routinely collected data: utility of the DIALOG patient-reported outcome and experience measure', BJPsych Bulletin, , pp. 1-9. Available at: 10.1192/bjb.2026.10215
