The measurement of patient outcomes

In this chapter, we describe the role of patient outcome measurement in quality assurance under six main section headings. In the first section: ‘Why measure outcomes?’, we attempt to state a clear and logical case for considering the inclusion of patient outcome measurement in all systematic assessments of the quality of health care. In, ‘Problems of measuring patient outcomes’, we acknowledge and elaborate upon some of the commonly encountered theoretical and practical difficulties of patient outcome measurement, and upon some of the ways in which such issues might be addressed within specific contexts. The third section: ‘Characteristics of a good measure’, considers some of the basic scientific and practical properties which should be considered when choosing a patient outcome measure for a particular context. ‘Types of measures’ considers some of the general features of the different types of measures currently available. ‘Quality of Life’, looks more closely some theoretical and practical aspects of that particular, and increasingly popular, area of patient outcome measurement. The final section offers a summary description of where we are now, and where we can go from here.