Explain why the concept of ‘outcomes’ is central to personalisation

For this assessment criterion, you will be required to explain why the concepts of ‘outcomes’ and ‘outcome-based practice‘ are central to personalisation.

‘Outcomes’ refer to the results of care and support services that are important to the service user. From a clinical perspective, the output of a health or care intervention can be the same for several individuals (i.e the individual heals). However, outcomes are personalised towards the individual’s own wishes and preferences.

For example, consider two individuals with mental health conditions. The output for both individuals would be the successful treatment of the illness, whereas the outcome for one individual may be to decrease their social isolation and the outcome for the other individual may be to get a job.

Personalisation is an approach that tailors care and support packages to each individual’s unique needs, wishes and preferences. This includes empowering the individual to have choice and control in respect of their care package and working in partnership to with them achieve the outcomes that they consider to be important.

If we do not have an understanding of the specific outcomes that an individual wishes to achieve, we can not provide care services that support them in this regard. Therefore, the concept of outcomes is a core component of providing personalised services.

This research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission looks at the links between self-directed support and personal outcomes for individuals receiving care services in Scotland.