Independent Report of Columbus Park Outcomes

Columbus Park recently obtained an independent report that evaluated our clinical outcomes over the course of the last two years.  The Center for Clinical Informatics, a data analytics firm specializing in the measurement of treatment outcomes for behavioral healthcare, conducted this review.   

 “Columbus Park has demonstrated a high level of commitment to demonstrating that the care provided is effective and of high value.” 

“The current level of performance over the past 12 months is exceptional.”

“ The mean Severity Adjusted Effect Size places Columbus Park more than a standard deviation above the mean when compared to other outpatient clinics across the country.”

“[T]he clinical leadership and clinicians at Columbus Park have shown a commitment to monitoring and improving treatment outcomes.”

*Excerpts from independent report prepared for Columbus Park by Jeb Brown, PhD, Center for Clinical Informatics.

Our Outcome Measurement Tool

Columbus Park uses a survey questionnaire from the A Collaborative Outcomes Resource Network (ACORN) data platform, designed specifically for eating disorder patients.  Patients answer eleven questions about the frequency of symptoms at the beginning of each treatment session on a tablet computer.   

The CCI review is based on data for 220 patients treated between April 2015 and May 24, 2017 (the date of preparation of the report).  These patients completed a total of 2,623 questionnaires.  

Our Results

89% our patients start out treatment in the “clinical range.” This means that at the time of the initial intake, these individuals reported greater severity of symptoms than typically found in an outpatient treatment sample.  Knowing symptoms severity at the start of treatment, we can track just how much these patients improved during their treatment course.  To do this, we use a statistical measurement called “effect size” which represents the magnitude of treatment effect (improvement from treatment) over time.

2015: Columbus Park magnitude of improvement: .90

2016: Columbus Park magnitude of improvement: 1.12

To put this in perspective, it’s important to note that effect sizes of .80 or larger = large or highly effective, effect sizes of .50 to .80 = moderately large or effective and effect sizes of .30 or less = small or likely equivalent to no treatment at all.   At 1.12 in 2017, Columbus Park is “well above the threshold to be classified as highly effective care.”

As you can see, we’re getting better and better as we grow.  In 2016, the increase in our effect size put our practice in the upper 10% when compared to other treatment sites using this measurement tool during the same period. 

“Looking at results broken out by the first and second year of outcomes measurement reveals a more dramatic story. There was the rapid increase of mean SAES during the first 24 months of measuring outcomes.“ 

If we look specifically at improvement in eating disorder symptoms (via 4 items on our questionnaire that target eating and weight/body concerns) the “Eating Disorder Subscale (4 items specific to eating disorder symptoms) showed a similar increase in effect size, from .95 during the first year to 1.40 during the second year (p<.05).”

Report Summary

“As noted, the current level of performance over the past 12 months is exceptional. The mean Severity Adjusted Effect Size places Columbus Park more than a standard deviation above the mean when compared to other outpatient clinics across the country.

This level of performance is likely to continue. Historically, the ACORN collaboration has demonstrated that gains in performance are maintained from one year to the next provided therapists and clinical leadership maintain a high level of engagement in monitoring outcomes. Columbus Park has demonstrated this capacity.”

As the Founder and Clinical Director of Columbus Park, I feel incredible pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish and the difference we’ve made in the lives of so many individuals since we opened our doors a decade ago.  While we’re thrilled with our results to date, we are constantly working to get better, stronger and more and more effective.  We are setting the bar high in our community with proven results and a commitment to only getting better as we go.