Authors' objectives: Because standardized outcome measures do not exist for most condition areas, clinical studies often use different outcome measures or different definitions for the same outcome measures. The use of different definitions can have a substantial impact on study findings and introduce challenges when comparing or aggregating data across studies, leading to uncertainty when interpreting study findings in the context of existing evidence. The primary objectives of this project were to create an Outcome Measures Framework (OMF) to serve as a conceptual model for development of standard outcome measures and to design and pilot test a tool for collecting and displaying information about outcome measures in a system such as the Registry of Patient Registries (RoPR).

Authors' recommendations: The OMF tool is intended to collect and display information on outcome measures used in patient registries, with the goals of characterizing what registries currently collect and supporting long-term efforts to standardize outcome measures. If the OMF is incorporated into the RoPR or another similar system, the data collected would enable future projects to accurately characterize the current use of outcome measures in registries and to develop informed, feasible approaches to standardization.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/311/1916/registry-of-patient-registries-OMF-Design-report-140528.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Contact Address: Center for Outcomes and Evidence Technology Assessment Program, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. Tel: +1 301 427 1610; Fax: +1 301 427 1639;

Contact Name: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Contact Email: martin.erlichman@ahrq.hhs.gov

Copyright: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)