title: Clinical measurement.
abstract: Clinical measurement is performed using personal observations and from using instruments. Acts of clinical measurement yield data that inform patient care and research. This article reviews several purposes of clinical measurement, a number of clinical measurement tools, interpretation of clinical data, and measurement accuracy. Examples relevant to the work of family physicians are provided. Throughout, the purpose is to suggest that clinical measurement lies at the heart of patient care and research. Measurement deserves the attention of family physicians in all phases of their work.
authors.affiliation: Office of Educational Development, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: McGaghie
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards