In general, all consumers should be asked to complete self–report measures at specified collection occasions. However, due to the nature and severity of their mental health or other problems, it is likely that some consumers should never be asked to complete self–report measures, others may not be able to complete the self–report measures at the scheduled occasion, whilst still others may sometimes find completion of the self–report measures to be difficult or stressful. In all cases, clinical judgement as to the appropriateness of inviting the consumer to complete the measures should be the determining factor at any given Collection occasions. Where collection of consumer self–report measures is contraindicated, the reasons should be recorded. CODE 1 Complete or partially complete This code is used to describe full or partial completion of a measure. All parts of any attempted completion should be recorded. CODE 2 Not completed due to temporary contraindication This code should be used when temporary contraindications apply. Under certain conditions, a consumer (or in the case of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) a parent) may not be able to complete the measure at a specific collection occasion. Circumstances where it may be appropriate to refrain from inviting the person to complete the measure include: - where the consumer’s current clinical state is of sufficient severity to make it unlikely that their responses to a self–report questionnaire could be obtained, or that if their responses were obtained it would be unlikely that they were a reasonable indication of person’s feelings and thoughts about their current emotional and behavioural problems and wellbeing;
- where an invitation to complete the measures is likely to be experienced as distressing or require a level of concentration and effort the person feels unable to give; or
- where consumers or parents in crisis are too distressed to complete the measure.
In many cases, the severity of the person’s clinical state and the degree of family distress experienced will diminish with appropriate treatment and care. It is suggested that, if within a period of up to seven days following the collection occasion in an ambulatory care setting the consumer (or parent) is likely to be able to complete the measure then their responses should be sought at that time. Otherwise, no further attempt to administer the measure at that collection occasion should be made. CODE 3 Not completed due to general exclusion This code should be used when general exclusions apply. Some persons may not be able to complete the measures at any time and should not be asked to do so. A definitive list of circumstances in which a general exclusion applies cannot be specified but, broadly, it would include situations where: - the person’s cognitive functioning is insufficient to enable understanding of the task as a result of an organic mental disorder or an intellectual disability;
- cultural, language and/or literacy issues make the measures inappropriate.
CODE 4 Not completed due to refusal by patient or client This code should be used where the consumer (patient, carer or client) is able to complete the measure and has not been temporarily or generally excluded from doing so, but chooses not to. |