title: Toward an unequivocal definition and classification of patient outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the extent possible of developing an unequivocal formulation of a conceptual, structural, and contextual definition of "patient outcomes," and the possibility of coming to an agreement on the criteria for classification of patient outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  An international Delphi survey of 33 experts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A conceptual, structural, and contextual definition of patient outcomes and priorities for the characteristics of patient outcome classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors recommend the unequivocalness of nursing terminology, not only for reasons of effectiveness and efficiency, but also to clarify the nursing vocabulary for epistemological reasons.
authors.affiliation: University of Maastricht, Department of Nursing Science, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van der Bruggen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groen
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000145:classification*; D009626:Terminology as Topic