Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS)
Wing, Curtis, Beevor
Abstract
This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS), which is a clinician rating scale, designed to measure mental health status. It is a generic instrument developed for routine clinical use, and hence was designed to be sufficiently brief yet covering the seminal domains. It has been used as a screening instrument, both in community and hospital settings. The HoNOS has been adapted for people with acquired brain impairment and its reliability examined. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.