Outcomes research

Swan, I. R.C. and Whitmer, W. (2018) Outcomes research. In: Watkinson, J. C. and Clarke, R. W. (eds.) Scott-Brown's Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery: Volume 1: Basic Sciences, Endocrine Surgery, Rhinology. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, pp. 483-494. ISBN 9781138094611 (doi: 10.1201/9780203731031-43)

Abstract

This chapter explains the background to patient-based outcomes research. The emphasis is on instruments relevant to otolaryngology. Patient-based outcome measures are, in general, questionnaires that ask patients about their perception of their health. Patient-based outcome measures assess some aspect of the patient's subjective experience of health and the consequences of illness – and of treatment. There are eight criteria that should be applied to patient-based outcome measures: appropriateness, validity, reliability, responsiveness, precision, interpretability, acceptability and feasibility. There are few patient-based outcome measures for which there is sufficient evidence to allow judgement on all of these criteria. As gold-standard measures rarely exist in assessment of quality of life, criterion validity is rarely relevant in patient-based outcome measures, and validity is judged by more indirect assessment of content and construct validity. Face and content validity are among the most relevant issues for the use of patient-based outcome measures in clinical trials.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Whitmer, Dr William and Swan, Mr Iain
• Authors: Swan, I. R.C., and Whitmer, W.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Publisher: CRC Press
• ISBN: 9781138094611
• Published Online: 12 June 2018