Evaluation of outcomes in Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Nursing practice

This report describes and evaluates the current status of outcome analysis in Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison Nursing (PCLN) and offers suggestions for future development. The status of outcome evaluation generally in psychiatric nursing is described with attention given to the scope of practice of PCLN and outcomes used by psychiatric consultation-liaison nurses (PCLNs) to evaluate their interventions. An evaluation framework based on Donabedian’s paradigm of structure, process, and outcome is presented and its applicability shown to PCLN. This framework is further explicated with regard to a review of published studies of PCLN within the outcome domains of cost reduction, satisfaction with services, changes in clinical status, and perceptions of work environment. Finally, recommendations for further development of outcomes in PCLN are offered, based on the strengths and limitations of the extant literature.