Measuring client health outcomes

Latrobe Community Health Service – like most health services – compiles a lot of information to measure our work. Things like how many appointments we offer, and what type of treatments we provide.

This information helps us plan for the future. It tells us which services are in demand, and where we might improve. But one thing is missing; it doesn’t tell us whether you feel like we actually improved your health.

That’s why we’ve added an extra measure: client health outcomes.

We’ll be following up after your appointments to ask some simple questions: did we help to improve your health? Do you feel better now than you did when you first came in?

Whether it’s aged care, counselling, dental or one of our many other services, we want to build a picture of what’s working – and what’s not – so we can focus on effective care that delivers better health, better lifestyles and strong and inclusive communities.

The outcomes measured across LCHS fit within five key domains:

Physical health

Improvement in physical health means clients’ general health got better and they experienced less sickness.

Mental health

Improvement in mental health means clients’ emotional or psychological wellbeing improved.

Social connection or participation

Improvement in social connection or participation means clients experienced less isolation and have better networks through friends and others.

Functioning

Improvement in functioning means clients’ ability to perform activities or tasks improved.

Client or participant goals

Achievement of client or participant goals means goals set by clients and their clinician were met.

If you have questions or feedback about our client outcomes data and measurement framework, please email maia.haeberlesavard@lchs.com.au, or call 1800 242 696 and ask to speak with our Insights and Evaluation Specialist.