Does Implementation of Feedback Informed Therapy (FIT) Improve Access to Psychotherapy in Psychiatry?

Overview

This study explores whether the introduction of Feedback-Informed Therapy (FIT) can improve access to psychotherapy within adult psychiatric outpatient care. FIT is a person-centered method where patients regularly provide structured feedback on their progress and therapeutic alliance, allowing treatment to be adjusted or concluded when needed. The purpose of this research is to investigate if implementing FIT results in shorter waiting times, and more efficient use of therapeutic resources. The project compares two similar psychiatric outpatient clinics in Sweden - one that introduced FIT in 2021 and one that did not. The study uses existing anonymized data from healthcare administrative systems and medical records. No changes are made to patients' treatment, and no new interventions are introduced. The research team will evaluate whether the clinic using FIT shows differences in treatment duration and availability the years 2022-2024. By examining real-world outcomes, this study aims to determine whether FIT supports increased access to psychotherapy and enhances person-centered care. The results may help healthcare providers and decision-makers improve mental health services and strengthen patient involvement in treatment.

This observational study investigates the real-world effects of implementing Feedback-Informed Therapy (FIT) in a general adult psychiatric outpatient setting. FIT is designed to support person-centred care by continuously monitoring patient-reported treatment progress and therapeutic alliance. Through structured feedback, clinicians can adjust interventions or discontinue therapy when improvement is limited. The current project aims to evaluate whether the introduction of FIT influences efficiency and accessibility of psychotherapy services within routine clinical practice. Two outpatient psychiatric clinics in southern Sweden are compared: one that implemented FIT starting in 2021 and one with standard care and no FIT-based monitoring structure. The study uses retrospective clinical administrative data and medical record information spanning 2021-2024. Data extraction includes diagnostic information, treatment activity codes, number of sessions, waiting times, and therapy initiation and termination dates. Information will be anonymised before analysis, and no patient contact or treatment alteration occurs. Access to source material is conducted using regulated research authorisation procedures. The primary outcomes are treatment duration (measured as number of sessions) and waiting time to the start of psychotherapy. The study seeks to determine whether FIT supports improved access and efficiency for therapeutical interventions at the clinic where it has been introduced, compared with routine practice without FIT. Results are expected to provide empirical insight into system-level changes in psychotherapy delivery within public mental health services.