Practice-based evidence and standardized evaluation: Informing the design of the CORE system

Abstract This paper provides the contextual and empirical foundation that informed the design of a core set of audit and evaluation tools for UK psychological therapy service provision. the initiative was committed to working in collaboration with practitioners to obtain information on the requirement for, and the characteristics of, a quality evaluation system. the inception of this project occurred in parallel with the publication of the Department of Health Strategic Review of NHS Psychological Therapy Services in England which identified the need for improved service access and enhanced treatment appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency. the empirical base of the paper reports retrospectively on the results of a survey of National Health Service practitioners and purchasers. Undertaken in 1996, the survey was designed to gather ‘intelligence’ on information collection and dissemination practice. the results of the survey are discussed in order to introduce the characteristics and content of the CORE system as the first UK standardized quality evaluation system for the psychological therapies.