Outcome measures are diagnostic tools and systems to measure performance, ability, or function of injured workers. They are a valuable tool for healthcare professionals to engage in the recovery, rehabilitation and return to work of injured workers.

It is expected that all healthcare professionals providing services to injured workers will routinely use outcome measures every 4–6 weeks to clinically justify their treatment. To capture early recovery, it is important measurement commences as early as possible.

The following outcome measures may be used to assist your clinical practice. You must evaluate the appropriateness of the following outcome measures based on the individual's needs and your own professional expertise.

Measures are classified according to their primary focus, are non-exhaustive and you should adhere to relevant copyright guidelines.

Risk identification tools

• Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ)
• Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ) scoring information
• The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire

Pain

• The Distress and Risk Assessment Method (DRAM)
• The Distress and Risk Assessment Method (DRAM) scoring information
• West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (WHYMPI)
• West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory (WHYMPI) scoring information
• Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS)
• Pain Catastrophising Scale (PCS) scoring information  
• Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ)
• Pain Beliefs & Perceptions Inventory
• Pain Beliefs & Perceptions Inventory scoring information

Upper limb

• The Upper Extremity Functional Index
• Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
• Shoulder Pain and Disability Index
• Croft Disability Questionnaire

Lower limb

• Lower Extremity Functional Scale
• Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)

Neck and back

• Neck Disability Index
• Whiplash Disability Questionnaire
• The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale

Mental health screening

• K10

Prosthetics/Orthotics

• Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale (OMPQ)
• Amputee Mobility Predictor
• C-leg Evaluation Protocol
• Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
• 6 Minute Walk Test - Borg Scale

Other

• The Patient-Specific Functional Scale
• Tampa scale for Kinesiophobia
• Modified Work Apgar
• Outcome Rating Scale
• Goal Attainment Scale
• Human Activity Profile 
• Canadian Occupational Performance Model – (COPM)

Clinical practice guidelines

Easy to search databases of evidence based clinical practice guidelines are located at:

• National Health and Medical Research Council
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• National Guideline Clearinghouse

Using outcome measures

WorkSafe expects that all psychology, acupuncture, chiropractic, osteopathy, physiotherapy and remedial massage providers who provide services to injured workers for longer than 4-6 weeks will use standardised or customised outcome measures to assist in the clinical justification of their services. For further information about the use of outcome measures in measuring the effectiveness of treatment, please refer to the Clinical Framework.

Outcome measures reduce administrative time for treating healthcare professionals by providing the following benefits:

• The questionnaires can be completed by the injured worker or TAC client independently of the treating healthcare professional
• Instead of the treater having to ask a number of questions as part of their subjective assessment, they can scan the questionnaires to pick out the most important issues
• Assessment of the outcome of treatment is determined more rapidly and with greater objectivity using standardised measures
• Outcome measures abbreviate information that is required by external parties including referring healthcare professionals and WorkSafe Agents
• Subsequent reports are also abbreviated by simply referring to the scores over time and how they have varied

Selecting and interpreting outcome measures

These guides provide a summary of some of the common outcome measures for injured workers with orthopaedic conditions and traumatic brain injury.

• Orthopaedic conditions
• Adults with traumatic brain injury

Recording outcome measures

• Treatment goals and outcome measures form

Outcome measures across cultures and languages

WorkSafe's guide will assist you in considering outcome measures for injured workers from another culture or who speak another language.

• Using outcome measures across cultures and languages – A Guide for healthcare professionals

In recognition of the growing need for outcome measures to address multi-cultural needs, the following list of measures has been provided for your use:

• Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire – 36 translations and adaptations.
• Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand – 21 languages
• Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire – Swiss/ German

Further information

• Transport Accident Commission physical therapy resources
• The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy clinical resources
• Australian Physiotherapy Association clinical justification and outcome measures
• USA Chiropractic Resource Organisation
• UK National Centre for Health Outcome Development
• COMBI – Center for Outcome Measures for Brain Injury

References

• Fairbank, Jeremy and Roland, Martin (2000) The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire Spine 25 (24), 3115 – 3124
• McDowell I, Newell C (1996) Measuring Health – a Guide to Rating Scales and Questionnaires, Oxford University Press ISBN 0-19-510371-8
• Roos EM, Roos HP, Lohmander LS et al (1998) Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) - development of a self-administered outcome measure, Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 78, 2, 88 - 96
• Stratford, P, Gill, C, Westaway, M, & Binkley, J (1995) Assessing disability and change on individual patients: a report of a patient specific measure, Physiotherapy Canada, 47, 258-263
• Yeomans, S.G. (2000) The clinical application of outcomes assessment. Stamford, CT, Appleton & Lange