Introduction: The use of measurement-based care (MBC) can significantly improve outcomes for patients, including symptom reduction, improved functioning, and quality of life. However, existing barriers can lead to low implementation rates, especially among first responders, military personnel, and Veterans (FRMV). Overcoming barriers and identifying ways to measure implementation using aggregate data is the next step in integrating MBC into mental health care. This article outlines the current state of MBC implementation at a mental health and addictions hospital in Canada. Methods: Aggregate data provided by an online MBC platform were used to review clinical outcomes (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and Working Alliance Inventory-6) and implementation rates (patient adoption and continuous engagement) of a Guardians program tailored for FRMV and compare these outcomes with benchmarks of Canadian and U.S. organizations. Results: Clinical outcomes and MBC implementation rates for the program exceeded national median benchmarks. Patient adoption and engagement increased between 2022 and 2023 and dropped in 2024. Discussion: Results suggest that the program was aligned with patients’ clinical needs and addressed hospital needs for a MBC system because patient adoption and engagement exceeded national benchmarks. The consistent rise in patient participation since the implementation of MBC reflects the system’s relative success, although barriers such as limited familiarity and staff capacity likely persist. Future work addressing barriers through organizational training and MBC champions may enhance implementation. The complex treatment needs of FRMV underline the importance of evaluating the integration of MBC into programming for this population.
Lay Summary During mental health treatment, it can be difficult to objectively determine whether an individual is doing better and whether the treatment is actually working. Measurement-based care (MBC) can support this. It allows the clinician to use the same survey tools at different points in treatment to measure how the patient is doing and whether they are feeling better as treatment progresses. The implementation of MBC can be challenging and comes with barriers. Furthermore, evaluating the implementation of MBC can also be difficult. This article describes how one organization implemented MBC and the outcomes seen across a program tailored to first responders, military personnel, and Veterans, who have unique mental health needs. Using outcomes produced by a MBC system, promising results were found, suggesting that the program was aligned with the clinical needs of this unique population and that patients were engaging well with the MBC system compared with other organizations in Canada and the United States. Finally, various challenges to implementing MBC and strategies to overcome these barriers at the organization were discussed.