Clinical priority criteria in orthopaedics: a validation study using the SF36 quality of life questionnaire

This study reports a validation trial of a clinical priority scoring tool in orthopaedic surgery based on five dimensions related to need and ability to benefit using the SF36 health related quality of life questionnaire. Seventy patients attending an orthopaedic outpatient clinic were asked to complete the questionnaire before being seen by an orthopaedic specialist. Their clinical priority for surgery was scored using a tool which assesses five dimensions of clinical need with a maximum of 100 points. Our study has shown that the clinical priority scores correlate very well with the quality of life of patients and that those who were selected for surgery had a significantly worse quality of life compared to those not qualifying for surgery due to the lack of financial resources. Although this study has limits, it should provide sufficient information to healthcare clinicians and managers that this tool will select those patients who have the highest need and ability to benefit from surgery.