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Toward an unequivocal definition and classification of patient outcomes
1University of Maastricht, Department of Nursing Science, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Purpose:
To determine the extent possible of developing an unequivocal formulation of a conceptual, structural, and contextual definition of "patient outcomes," and the possibility of coming to an agreement on the criteria for classification of patient outcomes.
Methods:
An international Delphi survey of 33 experts.
Findings:
A conceptual, structural, and contextual definition of patient outcomes and priorities for the characteristics of patient outcome classification.
Conclusions:
The authors recommend the unequivocalness of nursing terminology, not only for reasons of effectiveness and efficiency, but also to clarify the nursing vocabulary for epistemological reasons.