This step-by-step guide explains how to incorporate evidence-based methods when interpreting outcomes of physical therapy on individual patients.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1 Outcome Assessment Is Not as Straightforward as It Appears
• A Very Brief Introduction to Outcome Measures
• What's Ahead
• Chapter 2 ICF and HOAC II: Two Conceptual Frameworks to Augment Clinical Practice
• What's Ahead
• The ICF Model of Disablement
• Key Elements of the ICF
• ICF-Based Methods for Assessing Outcome
• Disablement Examples Using the ICF
• The HOAC II
• Key Elements of HOAC II
• Outcomes Assessment Using HOAC II
• Blending ICF and HOAC II
• Chapter 3 Merging the ICF and HOAC with Outcome Assessment
• Chapter 4 How Confident Can I Be About the Outcome Measurement on My Patient?
• What's Ahead
• The Concept Behind This Question
• Two Types of Measurement Error
• The Measurement Framework
• Reliability Coefficients: What Are They?
• Rationale for Reliability Studies
• What to Look for When Reviewing a Reliability Study
• Can I Calculate the SEM If It Has Not Been Reported?
• Translating Reliability Coefficients into Clinically Useful Information
• The Bottom Line
• Chapter 5 What Does This Outcome Measurement Really Mean?
• What's Ahead
• Part 1: To What Extent Does the Measure Assess What It Is Intended to Measure?
• The Concept Behind This Question
• The Measurement Framework
• Types of Validity
• Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Validity
• Validity Coefficients
• Part 2: What Is the Interpretation of the Measured Value?
• The Concept Behind the Interpretability Question
• Interpretation of Measures’ Scores That Are Not Highly Intuitive
• Chapter 6 What Does a Change in the Outcome Measurement Indicate?
• What's Ahead
• The Concept Behind The Question: What Does a Change in the Outcome Measurement Indicate?
• Diagnostic Test Method of Estimating Threshold Value for Change
• Typical DTM Study Design
• How a Threshold Value Is Calculated from DTM Studies
• Translating DTM Results into Clinically Useful Information: Sensitivity, Specificity, and Predictive Values
• Unchanged Group Method of Estimating a Threshold Value for Change
• Typical Unchanged Group Study Design
• How a Threshold Value Is Calculated from Unchanged Group Studies
• Translating MDC into Clinically Useful Information
• Reliability Change Index and Minimal Detectable Change
• Percentile Improvement Method of Estimating a Threshold Value for Change
• Typical PIM Study Design
• How a Threshold Value Is Calculated from PIM Studies
• Translating PIM Results into Clinically Useful Information
• Putting It All Together: A Direct Comparison of the Three Threshold Value Estimation Methods
• Considerations When Assessing Clinically Important Change
• There's a Difference Between a Within-Patient Change and Between-Group Difference
• Minimal Clinically Important Improvement in the Context of Specific Interventions
• Minimal Clinically Important Improvement Is Baseline Score Dependent
• Chapter 7 How Can I Establish a Target Goal Value for My Patient?
• What's Ahead
• The Concept Behind This Question
• Methods Used to Establish Target Goal Values
• The Within-Patient Comparison Approach
• Normal or Customary Values: What Is It?
• Reference Equations with Multiple Predictor Variables: What Is It?
• Single-Group Percentile Method: What Is It?
• Diagnostic Test Methodology
• Chapter 8 When Should Reassessments Take Place?
• What's Ahead
• The Concept Behind This Question
• Methods Used to Determine Target Goal Values
• Modeling Change Over Time: Growth Curves: What Is It?
• Compilation of Information from Separate Studies: What Is It?
• Rationale for an Optimal Reassessment Interval
• Chapter 9 Acknowledging Barriers and Identifying Barrier-Busting Strategies
• Barriers to the Successful Implementation of Outcome Measures in Clinical Practice
• Barriers Affecting the Therapist
• Barriers Affecting the Patient-Measure Interaction
• Resource and Organizational Barriers
• Finding the Best Measures for You: Six Barrier-Busting Steps
• Implementing the Best Measures for Your Practice
• Chapter 10 Finding and Critiquing Outcome Measures
• Finding Potential Outcome Measures of Interest for Your Unique Setting
• Overview of an Efficient Search Strategy
• A Search Example
• Description of the Roland-Morris Measure
• Critiquing Outcome Measures
• Six Questions to Consider When Evaluating an Outcome Measure
• What We Found About the Roland-Morris Measure
• Chapter 11 Putting It All Together: Examples of the Application of Outcome Measures in Practice Settings