Publication

Review and update of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD)

; 
Adams, Nicola
; ; 
James, Michael
; ; 
Roy, Ashok
; ; 
Smith, Mark
Abstract
Background: The Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales for people with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) is an 18-item measure which provides a structured and standardized approach to rating various clinical and psychosocial outcomes and has been in use nationally since 2002. Aims: To revise and improve the HoNOS-LD’s utility in contemporary intellectual disability (ID) services whilst retaining its original objectives and five-point severity ratings. Method: ID clinicians were invited to complete an online survey, rating each item on the existing measure for being fit for purpose, identifying issues and suggesting improvements based on their experience of using the HoNOS-LD in practice. Scales were then assessed and revised sequentially; survey responses were used to inform discussion and revisions to the HoNOS-LD by the Advisory Board. Results: A total of 75 individuals replied. Respondents had used HoNOS-LD for an average of 8.0 years (S.D. 5.28 years) and 88% found the scale to be useful in their practice. On average, respondents used HoNOS-LD ratings to inform care 42.4% of the time (S.D. 33.5%). For each scale there was a significant negative correlation between the percentage of positive/very positive respondent ratings and the number of changes proposed. Common changes included simplifying terms, reducing ambiguity and replacing anachronistic language. Conclusion: The changes outlined in this paper are based on the advisory group’s expert consensus. These changes are intended to improve reliability and validity but now need empirical testing as well as review by service users.
MIDER Authors
Majid, Madiha
Roy, Ashok
Citations
Altmetric:
Date
2023-05-17
Type
Article
Subject
Mental health
Collections
CWPT Learning Disabilities
Show all metadata
Citation
Painter J, Adams N, Ingham B, James M, Majid M, Roy A, Shankar R, Smith M. Review and update of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD). Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2023 Nov;69(7):1807-1813. doi: 10.1177/00207640231175773. Epub 2023 May 17. PMID: 37198876; PMCID: PMC10657504.
Journal / Source Title
International Journal of Social Psychiatry
DOI
10.1177/00207640231175773
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14200/3314
PMID
37198876
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Publisher’s URL
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00207640231175773
Publisher’s statement
Note / Copyright