This article provides an overview of how Measurement-Informed Care (MIC) is integrated into clinical documentation for the initial assessment and progress notes and how to utilize MIC data in sessions with clients.
MIC in the Initial Assessment
The Initial Assessment serves as the foundation for identifying treatment needs, establishing a diagnosis, and determining therapeutic fit. As such, information from the measurement surveys is an invaluable piece of information to have.
If the client has completed the measurement surveys (e.g., GAD-7, PHQ-9, etc.) this will be integrated into the “Measures” section of the Initial Assessment note. Scores are color-coded and plotted on a severity scale which will help you quickly spot trends and notable shifts in self-reported behavior.
Here you see an example of the measurement survey results in the Initial Assessment note:
MIC in Progress Notes
At Rula, you will use a Progress Note template to document treatment. Completed measurement surveys will be integrated into the note and can be seen in the “Measures” section of the note.
Several past surveys are visible as well for comparison (the baseline survey and—if applicable—the most recent previous survey). This means up to three surveys may be present (Baseline, Previous session, This session). Scores are color-coded and plotted on a severity scale which will help you quickly spot trends and notable shifts in self-reported behavior.
Here you see an example of the measurement survey results in a Progress Note:
Utilizing MIC in Session with Clients
When completing documentation for an Initial Assessment or Progress Note, you'll be prompted to confirm whether you reviewed the client’s measures for the session. You’ll also need to select an action from a dropdown menu.
Here you see where you would indicate whether you reviewed the measures and the dropdown menu of actions:
After choosing how you use the measures, you'll add details in a required text field titled "Additional detail on in-session use of measures." A few examples:
- "Reviewed factors that contributed to improved mood and sleep this week, including exercise and seeing friends."
- "Discussed client's low Therapeutic Alliance score and perception that therapy has not been helpful so far."
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"Adjusted session agenda to focus on CBT-I skills given persistent insomnia since last session."
If a client has not completed the measures for this session or the previous session, you'll not be asked to select whether you reviewed the measures with your client. Instead, you'll see a message that alerts you that the client has not completed their surveys and to please complete the survey in session.
For more information on utilizing MIC with clients, check out these help center articles:
- Introducing Measurement-Informed Care to Clients
- Reviewing Measurement-Informed Care in Session with Clients
- Strategies for Increasing Completion of Measurement-Informed Care Surveys
- Navigating Slow Client Progress on Measurement-Informed Care Surveys
- Responding to Increases in Symptom Severity on Measurement-Informed Care Surveys
- Responding to Ruptures in the Therapeutic Alliance
- Addressing Discrepancies Between Measurement-Informed Care Survey Scores and Clinical Presentation
- Responding to Decreases in Scores on Measurement-Informed Care Surveys and Clinical Improvement
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