Outcome research: Methods for improving outcome in routine care

Abstract

The current review targets efforts to use outcome measures in routine care for the purpose of enhancing patient outcome, particularly for patients whose positive outcome is in doubt. The review first provides a brief historical context that justifies this particular form of outcome assessment, and its role in reducing negative treatment outcomes. The place of outcome measures in solving the negative effects problem is emphasized with a narrow focus on one set of measures that are relatively well advanced in their clinical utility. Other measures are then briefly reviewed before turning to future directions.