What clients can I ask to participate?

Clients must be 18 years or older.

New clients who are just beginning an episode of treatment. However, if an previous/existing client is re-referred with a new mental health treatment plan they are eligible. If they have just had a GP review for additional sessions they are not eligible.

Do I have to ask every new client?

No. It is up to you to use your clinical judgment about the appropriateness of inviting individual clients.

Do clients have to participate?

No, it is important that clients are aware that participation is entirely voluntary – and deciding not to join will have no effect on their ongoing treatment.

Clients are free  withdraw from the study at any time without any effect on their ongoing treatment.

Can clinic staff recruit clients?

No, the study ethics protocol requires that the clinician make an assessment of the client’s readiness to be invited.

Can the clinic staff fill in the session # and MBS item number?

Yes.

Can clients fill in the DASS-21 in the waiting room before the session?

Yes. However, the session number and MBS item number need to be completed prior to the DASS-21 being accessible, so some method for entering that information by the practice staff or clinician will need to implemented.

What if I miss giving the DASS-21 at a session?

In the situation where you forget to administer the DASS-21 during a session, thats ok. However, it is important that you record each session. If you realise that you have missed a session you can add a session with the following instruction:

• Go to Account tab –> Sessions –> View visits –> Add Session –> Enter the session date that you missed.  

• You can administer the DASS-21 in subsequent sessions as per normal, even if you accidently missed a session. 

Can more than one clinician from a practice enter client data on the same account?

No, only client data from the clinician enrolled in study and who owns the account can enter data for the study.

How will I know when to do the YES survey?

The evaluation team and NovoPsych will send reminders and provide the links and instructions to the YES.

Does it matter that my clients won’t be finished a full episode of treatment by the time the study ends?

No. Just collect as much session-based data as you can over the course of the study.

Can I use other NovoPsych tools as well as the DASS-21?

Yes, if your client agrees. Any other client outcome data you collect not using the DASS-21 will not be included in the dataset provided to the evaluation team but will be available for your own clinical use.

Can I use NovoPsych tools for existing clients who aren’t enrolled in the study?

Yes, you are free to use the NovoPsych platform as you wish for other clients. None of their data will be provided to the evaluation team.

Can I share my NovoPsych account with colleagues?

No. To maintain client confidentiality and privacy access to your account must be restricted to yourself.

I already use NovoPsych and need to clear my cache, will I loose existing client data if I do that?

No. Your existing data will not be affected in any way.