Outcome Measures
Will the use of outcome measures increase administrative time?
Using outcome measures across cultures and languages
Selecting and interpreting common outcome measures
An example of how to record your outcome measures
What are outcome measures?
Outcome measures are diagnostic tools and/or systems to measure performance, ability, or function of clients/workers. Not all measures are appropriate for all clients/workers or every instance. The measurement tool employed, however must be reliable, valid, and sensitive to change and suit the purpose for which it is being employed.
More specifically, an outcome measure is a test or scale administered and interpreted by treating health professionals that has been shown to accurately measure a particular attribute of interest to client/workers and therapists and is expected to be influenced by intervention. It is also a measure of change, the difference from one point in time (usually before an intervention) to another point in time (usually following an intervention).
It is expected that all health professionals providing services to injured clients will 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 (i.e. week one). This will also assist the health professional to adopt the best treatment approach and predict the client/worker’s progress.
Will the use of outcome measures increase administrative time?
Outcome measures reduce administrative time for treating health professionals by providing the following benefits:
- the questionnaires can be completed by the client/worker independently of the treating health 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; and
- assessment of the outcome of treatment is determined more rapidly and with greater objectivity using standardised measures.
Outcome measures are also beneficial in report writing. For instance:
- outcome measures abbreviate information that is required by external parties including referring health professionals and compensable bodies or their managing Agents; and
- subsequent reports are also abbreviated by simply referring to the scores over time and how they have varied.
Links to outcome measures
The following links to outcome measures may be used to assist your clinical practice. Each healthcare professional must evaluate the appropriateness of the measure based on the individual client/worker’s needs and their own professional expertise.
Measures are classified according to their primary focus, are non-exhaustive and treating health professionals should adhere to relevant copyright guidelines.
- Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ)
- Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire (OMPQ) scoring information
- The Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire
- 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
- Headache disability Index
- The Upper Extremity Functional Index
- Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand
- Shoulder Pain and Disability Index
- Croft Disability Questionnaire
- Neck Disability Index
- Whiplash Disability Questionnaire
- The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale
- The Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale Questionnaire
- Oswestry Disability Questionnaire
- The Patient-Specific Functional Scale
- Tampa scale for Kinesiophobia
- Modified Work Apgar
- Cognitive Coping Strategies Inventory Revised (CCSI-R)
- Outcome rating scale
- Session Rating Scale
- Goal Attainment Scale
- Human Activity Profile
- Canadian Occupational Performance Model – (COPM)
Using outcome measures across cultures and languages
WorkSafe Victoria’s Using Outcome Measures across Cultures & Languages - A Guide for Healthcare Professionals will guide you in considering outcome measures for clients/workers from another culture or who speak another language.
In recognition of the growing need for outcome measures to address multi-cultural client 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
- Oswestry Disability Questionnaire - Japanese
- Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire - Swiss/ German
Selecting and interpreting common outcome measures
These guides provide a summary of some of the common outcome measures for clients/workers with orthopaedic conditions and adult traumatic brain injury respectively. Information regarding the selection, scoring and interpretation of outcome measures is included in an easy to use table format.
An example of how to record your outcome measures:
A ScHARR Introduction to Evidence Based Practice on the Internet
