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Outcomes research: a review
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA.
Neurosurgery
|November 5, 1998
Summary
Outcomes research examines patient health status and quality of life to assess medical care effectiveness. This field evolved due to variations in medical practices and rising healthcare costs, emphasizing patient-centered outcomes for future research.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Health services research
- Clinical investigation
Background:
- Evolved from studies showing geographic variations in medical/surgical practices without outcome differences.
- Driven by escalating healthcare costs and the need to assess medical intervention quality and appropriateness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history of the medical outcomes movement.
- To review the methodologies employed in outcomes research.
Main Methods:
- Outcomes research emphasizes measuring patient health outcomes.
- Includes patient symptoms, functional status, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and healthcare costs.
Main Results:
- Outcomes can be measured directly/indirectly, over time, with varying objectivity, reliability, and validity.
- Current focus on quality of life, assessing impact on physical, emotional, and social well-being.
Conclusions:
- Systematic examination of patient outcomes is crucial for determining healthcare value.
- Future research must incorporate patient-oriented measures alongside physiological/anatomic outcomes to guide treatment strategies.