Aims: To clarify the acceptability, reliability and factorial validity of a new Italian version of the HoNOS called HoNOS-Rome. Its main innovations are both in design and in contents.
Methods: Face validity was assessed by surveying 3 focus groups. Reliability was assessed in 8 different pairs of raters on a sample of 24 patients; construct validity was analysed by factor analysis using a sample of 187 patients at 6 day centres. Acceptability was investigated by means an anonymous questionnaire filled by professionals that were using the instrument.
Results: Time of completion was low (range 4-12 minutes), the tool proved very acceptable and the reliability was good (weighted kappa > or = 0.71 for all items). Factor analysis was consistent with the division of HoNOS-Rome into four sensible factors accounting for 52% of the total variance.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that HoNOS-Rome has a satisfactory degree of acceptability, construct validity and reliability, and may promote the routine evaluation of outcomes in mental health services.