The NHS Long Term plan encourages outcome collection as this enables us to identify processes that are effective as well as those that may need adapting; to improve service-user care and ensure a cost-effective service is provided with resources allocated accordingly.
Whether you are working in healthcare or another area of practice, there are multiple benefits to collating and evaluating outcome data:
In 2018, the BDA Outcomes Working Group (OWG) was formed to support a standardised approach to outcome collection across the profession. Results from a member-wide survey in 2019 found that many departments were developing their own outcome tools and collecting different types of data, but not always using this data to influence others. The type of data that members were collecting included:
The OWG decided to focus on supporting members to collect Dietetic Outcomes. The group defined a Dietetic Outcome as a measured change/resolution of the nutritional ‘problem’ by the end of the dietetic intervention.
Initially, the group developed the outcomes guidance document which provided a step-by-step guide for measuring dietetic outcomes in relation to the Model and Process. This has since been superseded by the 2020 updated Model and Process document. The updated Model and Process has embedded outcome(s) (to be achieved by the end of the intervention) and goal(s) (to be achieved by the next consultation) within the six steps of the Model and Process. This update will help to ensure a consistent approach to outcomes across the profession.
We are working closely with international colleagues and NHS digital to embed standardised language into SNOWMED CT to ensure it is available for use to the dietetic workforce in the UK. You can find more information about electronic health records here.
Using this standardised language ensures terminology is consistent, enabling us to better collate and compare outcome data. Outcome data must be collected and stored in line with General Data Protection Regulation as well as any relevant local/national policies.
In 2022, as part of the BDA's Dietetic Workforce Development Programme we piloted the use of the updated Standardised Language terms in a range of different settings to evaluate their usefulness and effectiveness in providing sufficient and relevant outcome data.
Learn more about standardised language and the work we are doing.
If you are looking for a way of measuring a specific outcome, the Allied Health Professions Outcome Measures UK Working Group checklist can support your decision making.
If all members of a dietetic department are using the BDA outcomes framework to collect outcome data, they are able to collate and compare this across teams/departments. We would like to be able to do this across the whole profession, we are therefore considering options for this in the future.
If you have any questions related to this information or these documents, please contact us.
Writing an effective PASS statement is a key part of the Model and Process and facilitates the capture of outcome data.
This webinar covers: