title: Why the NHS should abandon the search for the universal outcome measure.
abstract: This paper considers the use of outcome measures in the British National Health Service (NHS). Measuring outcomes is a major conceptual and practical problem. Many different measures are currently available yet no consensus has been reached on which should be preferred over others, or about which should take priority when they conflict. Some currently used measures are described, the relationship between these measures and the measured activities are discussed, and fundamental problems with both the measures and their use are revealed. It is shown that however assiduous the search, the 'perfect' outcome measure will always remain elusive.
authors.affiliation: University of Essex, Department of Accounting and Financial Management, Colchester, Essex, UK.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCartney
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bell
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce; D006302:Health Services Research; D008722:Methods; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000592:standards*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom