Graph Symptoms Over Time.

With NovoPsych you can graph results over time so you can visually monitor symptoms changing from session to session. All you need to do is administer the same assessment to a client more than once, and you’ll get a nice graph!

The most popular scales for outcome monitoring on NovoPsych are the DASS-21, K10, or CORE-10. I’d recommend having a look at all three and then choosing which one will suit you best, then be consistent with it. Personally, I administer the DASS-21 in session 1, 3, 6, and then every second session thereafter.
 

Dass-21 graph
DASS-21
Above is an example of what the graphs look like for the DASS-21, with the results showing reduced symptoms over time. On the Y axis is the percentile rank derived from a community normative sample, indicating how this individual scored in comparison to the general population. The graph shows a stress score on the 99th percentile on the first administration of the test, with depression and anxiety being in the subclinical range (below the 90th percentile).  The 50th percentile indicates that this person experienced symptoms no more or less than the average person in the community, while percentile scores above 90 indicate clinically significant symptoms. Overall the graph shows symptoms reduced significantly over time!

Many NovoPsych users take a screenshot of the graph and then include it in their letters to a referring GP.
Screen Shot 2020-06-02 at 11.29.43 am

Doctors appreciate receiving letters with graphs, because they can clearly see how the patient is tracking. Clients love it too, because graphing symptoms over time gives clients an objective representation of their distress and provides personalised evidence of the benefits of treatment. Moreover, research shows that regular use of outcome measures may increase engagement and improve the therapeutic relationship, thereby increasing the efficacy of treatment. 

I hope find this information helpful!

Dr Ben Buchanan

BA (Hons), GradDipPsych, DPsych, MAPS
Co-founder & Director of NovoPsych Pty Ltd
[email protected]
www.NovoPsych.com
Psychologist