CORE-OM

CORE-OM (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation - Outcome Measure) is a widely used psychometric tool designed to assess the effectiveness of psychological therapies and interventions. It is a self-report questionnaire that measures a range of psychological problems and well-being.

Development

The CORE-OM was developed in the late 1990s by a team of researchers led by Chris Evans and Michael Barkham. The development process involved extensive consultation with clinicians and researchers to ensure the measure was comprehensive and applicable across different therapeutic settings.

Structure

The CORE-OM consists of 34 items that cover four main domains:

• Well-being
• Problems/Symptoms
• Functioning
• Risk

Each item is rated on a 5-point scale ranging from "Not at all" to "Most or all of the time." The measure is designed to be completed by clients before and after therapy to assess changes in their psychological state.

Scoring

The CORE-OM provides a total score as well as subscale scores for each of the four domains. Higher scores indicate greater levels of distress or dysfunction. The measure is designed to be sensitive to changes over time, making it useful for tracking progress in therapy.

Applications

The CORE-OM is used in a variety of settings, including:

• Primary care
• Mental health services
• Research
• Clinical practice

It is particularly valued for its ability to provide a comprehensive overview of a client's psychological state, making it useful for both clinical assessment and research purposes.

Validation

The CORE-OM has been validated in numerous studies and has been translated into several languages. It is considered a reliable and valid measure of psychological distress and well-being.

Related Measures

Several related measures have been developed based on the CORE-OM, including:

• CORE-10
• CORE-SF
• YP-CORE (for young people)

See Also

• Psychometrics
• Outcome measures
• Clinical psychology
• Mental health assessment