Assessing Outcome in Practice Settings: A Primer and Example from an Eating Disorders Program

All segments of the behavioral healthcare system are increasingly being called upon to demonstrate the effectiveness of their treatment. This article outlines a type of research study, the effectiveness study, that can be implemented quite easily and inexpensively and can provide a measure of treatment success. The article discusses choice-points for engaging in an effectiveness study and gives suggestions for research decisions. A small-scale study conducted at a partial hospitalization unit for eating disorders is used as an example. The information on designing and implementing a research program and the example provided are intended to assist practitioners and program administrators who are considering engaging in their own outcome research.