Tutorials in clinical research: part V: outcomes research.
OBJECTIVE
This is the fifth in a series of sequential "Tutorials in Clinical Research." The objective of the present report is to give the reader a broad overview of the field of outcomes research. This summary is intended to enable the reader to understand outcomes research methodology and to start the design of an outcomes research study.


METHODS
Tutorial.


METHODS
The authors developed the report from available materials and refined it to be concise but complete for use by the practicing clinician.


RESULTS
We describe the basic steps of record-based and patient-based outcomes research, including development of a staging system, identification of comorbid conditions, and creation or identification of an outcomes instrument.


CONCLUSIONS
Outcomes research is a unique methodology that uses patient-based outcomes to assess the effectiveness of medical treatment.
Stewart
Michael G
MG
Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
Neely
J Gail
JG
Hartman
James M
JM
Wallace
Mark S
MS
Forsen
James W
JW
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States