Outcomes

The NHS Long Term plan encourages outcome collection as this enables us to identify processes that are effective as well as those that may need adapting; to improve service-user care and ensure a cost-effective service is provided with resources allocated accordingly.


Benefits of measuring Outcomes

Whether you are working in healthcare or another area of practice, there are multiple benefits to collating and evaluating outcome data:

  • For professionals – it supports decision making around the delivery of effective interventions, education, training and messaging, supports service planning and product design, and helps to promote productivity and job satisfaction. 
  • For service users – it demonstrates they are receiving an effective service that makes a difference to their health and quality of life, values their experience in the future services and products that affect them. 
  • For commissioners, boards and businesses – it demonstrates they are commissioning or buying the most efficient and effective service

In 2018, the BDA Outcomes Working Group (OWG) was formed to support a standardised approach to outcome collection across the profession. Results from a member-wide survey in 2019 found that many departments were developing their own outcome tools and collecting different types of data, but not always using this data to influence others. The type of data that members were collecting included:

  • PREM/PROM
  • Service level data
  • Dietetic Outcomes

The OWG decided to focus on supporting members to collect Dietetic Outcomes. The group defined a Dietetic Outcome as a measured change/resolution of the nutritional ‘problem’ by the end of the dietetic intervention.

Initially, the group developed the outcomes guidance document which provided a step-by-step guide for measuring dietetic outcomes in relation to the Model and Process. This has since been superseded by the 2020 updated Model and Process document. The updated Model and Process has embedded outcome(s) (to be achieved by the end of the intervention) and goal(s) (to be achieved by the next consultation) within the six steps of the Model and Process. This update will help to ensure a consistent approach to outcomes across the profession.

We are working closely with international colleagues and NHS digital to embed standardised language into SNOWMED CT to ensure it is available for use to the dietetic workforce in the UK. You can find more information about electronic health records here

Using this standardised language ensures terminology is consistent, enabling us to better collate and compare outcome data. Outcome data must be collected and stored in line with General Data Protection Regulation as well as any relevant local/national policies.


Updated Standardised Language Terminology Lists

In 2022, as part of the BDA's Dietetic Workforce Development Programme we piloted the use of the updated Standardised Language terms in a range of different settings to evaluate their usefulness and effectiveness in providing sufficient and relevant outcome data. 

See the updated list.

Learn more about standardised language and the work we are doing.


Choosing a tool to measure a specific outcome

If you are looking for a way of measuring a specific outcome, the Allied Health Professions Outcome Measures UK Working Group checklist can support your decision making.


The Future

If all members of a dietetic department are using the BDA outcomes framework to collect outcome data, they are able to collate and compare this across teams/departments. We would like to be able to do this across the whole profession, we are therefore considering options for this in the future.

If you have any questions related to this information or these documents, please contact us

A guide to creating PASS Statements webinar

Writing an effective PASS statement is a key part of the Model and Process and facilitates the capture of outcome of dietetic interventions.

This webinar covers:

  • How to write a PASS statement
  • Why PASS statements are a key part of the BDA Model and Process
  • How to effectively use the BDA Model and Process to capture Dietetic Outcomes
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