An introduction to the use of outcomes questionnaires in osteopathic practice

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND:Outcomes assessment and management is rapidly becoming a necessary part of daily osteopathic practice. Third-party payers such as workers compensation schemes, motor vehicle accident compensation schemes and health insurance companies are increasingly encouraging that osteopaths incorporate the use of outcomes assessment into their practice.PURPOSE:To provide an outline of the common outcome measurement questionnaires that are of particular relevance to osteopathic practice. Each of the following outcome questionnaire is reviewed: Patient Specific Functional Scale, Neck Disability Index, Upper Extremity Functional Index, Shoulder (Croft) Disability Questionnaire, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Oswestry Low Back Pain/Disability Questionnaire, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Lower Extremity Functional Index, McGill Pain Questionnaire.DISCUSSION:Selection of appropriate questionnaires and basic terminology is outlined. Implementation of the questionnaires into daily practice, their interpretation, recording and tracking of results is also discussed.CONCLUSIONS:This paper presents a number of common outcomes questionnaires that are reliable, valid and suitable for use in everyday osteopathic practice. They are generally well understood by the patient, time-efficient, easily scored by the clinician and thus, the use of these questionnaires should not be a burden on practice administration, the practitioner or the patient.