Current issues in rehabilitation outcome measurement: implications for audiological rehabilitation

This paper will describe several key issues current in rehabilitation outcome measurement that should be considered in the establishment or choice of any new outcome measurement system or tools.

The paper is a concept piece based on a review of literature rather than on experimental design.

Social and political forces of the 1990s are affecting the need for outcome measurement and management: consumerism, or empowerment of the end user of services; the global Internet and information age; and the pervasiveness of the concept of quality improvement. In this context, several underlying concepts are important in effective outcome management approaches. Rehabilitation's focus on the person served provides a frame for measurement. Measurement in terms of the domains of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Impairments, Activities and Participation reflects meaningful dimensions of rehabilitation for people with hearing loss. Activities in the arena of rehabilitation performance indicator development are summarized and challenges in developing outcome management systems are discussed.

The paper proposes that choice is a key outcome of interest in rehabilitation. Persons served in audiological rehabilitation and providers alike can benefit from systematic outcome measurement, but more can be learned about outcomes. Attention to consistent and uniform outcome measurement in audiological rehabilitation is consistent with the trends in the rehabilitation community at large.