The role of outcome studies in allergy and clinical immunology

Outcomes research is becoming an integral part of the sweeping changes occurring in the U.S. health care system. By developing outcomes monitoring systems in allergic disorders, allergists will be able to collect information showing their commitment to excellent clinical care, which improves the patient's quality of life in a cost-effective way. Outcomes data is also important in determining the number of allergists that need to be trained, appropriate therapeutic regimens for allergic disorders, evaluating differences in practice styles of allergists throughout the country, and in revising practice parameters in allergic disorders. Through the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, a subcommittee on outcomes was formed. This subcommittee awarded a national asthma outcomes monitoring project to The Health Institute, New England Medical Center, Boston. This project, which will be in three phases, will generate information on outcomes of board-certified allergists in asthma care. Another goal of this project will be to produce standardized instruments and collection methods, which will be made available for use by all allergists to collect their own outcomes data.