Communimetrics Key Principles

The CANS, ANSA, FAST, and other TCOM Tools are all multiple purpose information integration tools that are designed to be the output of an assessment process.  Since the primary purpose of these tools is to better communicate with all parties involved in care, each TCOM tool is based on communication theory rather than psychometric theories of measure. The TCOM philosophy includes six key principles to help you use each Communimetric tool.

In this 6 part series written by Dr. John S Lyons, we will review each principle in a separate post.

Principle 1. Each item is selected because it is relevant to the decision-making process. Only relevant information is included. 

Principle 2. The level of each item translates into levels of action. The measure must be non-arbitrary; every rating has an immediate meaning and the meaning relevant to future action.

Principle 3. Describe the need, not the fact, which you are addressing. It is about the person, not the person in care.

Principle 4. Consider culture and development of the individual prior to establishing the level of measurement.

Principle 5. Items found in the TCOM tools are descriptions and generally do not include attributions of cause.

Principle 6. Time frames for measurement are defined (e.g. 30 days, 24 hours) for relevance of observing change.

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For more information on the tools or how each of these 6 principles came to be, consider reading the book, Communimetrics, or contact Dr. John S. Lyons, jlyons@chapinhall.org.

Dr. John S Lyons is the developer of the Communimetric theory, TCOM approach and a Senior Policy Fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.  Dr. Lyons work focuses on expanding the suite of implementation supports within TCOM, such as the CANS, FAST, ANSA, RISE, and more all over the country and world.