Practical considerations in the measurement of outcomes in healthcare.

In the current era of accountability in medicine, information regarding outcomes of care can play a pivotal role in medical decision making for physicians, other healthcare providers, patients, and administrators. Although the field of outcomes assessment has not fully matured, a number of tools and methods can be reliably used to produce valid information. Systematic collection and analysis of outcomes data can add to the complexity of the medical encounter. Yet, if appropriately collected, the information derived can facilitate medical decision making and enhance the quality of medical care. This article defines and discusses healthcare outcomes, reviews the relevance of outcomes measurement, describes practical considerations in, and examples of, outcomes measurement in medical practice, and reviews some resources available for outcomes studies or projects.