Development of the Life in the Community Questionnaire

The Training and Service Development component of the Australian Mental Health Outcomes and Classification Network (AMHOCN TSD) has been funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing to develop a consumer self report measure that focuses on aspects of social inclusion and recovery. A Technical Advisory Group has been involved in the development of the measure, now known as the Life in the Community Questionnaire (LCQ), and consultations on the first draft were held earlier this year across various jurisdictions.

AMHOCN TSD has undertaken a proof of concept trial for the Life in the Community Questionnaire which aimed to better understand how the measure performs in clinical practice. This proof of concept work has been gathering the views of a small number of clinicians and consumers on the measure, including ease of use, usefulness and anything that may be lacking from a clinician or consumer perspective when considering social inclusion and personal recovery. This proof of concept work is seen as a necessary step in the development of the measure prior to larger and more detailed field testing.

AMHOCN also sought feedback about the measure across the broader mental health sector. Advice and comments received about the LCQ will be incorporated into a report by AMHOCN TSD to be sent to the Mental Health Information Strategy SubCommittee to inform the next stage of work on this measure.

We will keep you updated on the development process for the LCQ via our AMHOCN website.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact: Tim Coombs or Rosemary Dickson.