The problem
Paper outcome measures get handed out, scored by hand and typed into a spreadsheet, so they're easy to drop. If 18 clients a week complete a questionnaire and scoring and recording takes 4 minutes each, that's 72 minutes a week, about 5.2 hours a month (72 x 4.3 / 60).
What the AI does
Zanda offers online forms with automatic assessment scoring and progress reports in each client profile. You build the measures you already use as scored forms, where the measure's terms allow it, and ask clients to complete them through the portal before the session. Scores and a progress chart appear on the client's file, and you read the answers before you see the client, as you would on paper.
A worked example
A therapist in Brighton sees 18 clients a week and uses a short outcome measure every session. They build it as a scored form in Zanda Starter and ask clients to complete it before each session.
Before
4 minutes to score and record each of 18 forms a week: 5.2 hours a month
After
About 1 minute to read each scored form: about 1.3 hours a month
What it's worth
About $231£174€207A$334C$327 a month of the therapist's time, at an assumed $60£45€54A$86C$85 an hour, against $20£15€18A$29C$28 for Zanda Starter. That's 3 minutes saved on each of 18 forms a week: 54 minutes x 4.3, about 3.9 hours.
How to set it up
- Check the terms of each measure you use; some can be copied freely, others need permission or a license to put online.
- Build each measure as a scored form in Zanda, and check the scoring against a hand-scored example before using it.
- At contracting, ask clients whether they're happy to complete it and explain how the scores are used.
- Read every response before the session, including any item about risk, not just the total.
- Review the progress chart with the client, and take themes to supervision without identifying details.
What goes wrong
- Automatic scoring doesn't alert you to a risk answer. If a measure asks about self-harm or suicide, read that item before you see the client and follow your risk procedure.
- A form built wrongly scores wrongly. Test it against hand-scored examples.
- Outcome scores are special-category health data. Keep them in the practice system and check Zanda's data hosting and processing terms.
- Scores track change; they don't diagnose. Don't let a number replace your clinical judgment.