Challenges of outcomes research for nurse practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the numerous methodological challenges nurse practitioners (NPs) face in designing and conducting outcomes research and provide practical tips to implement an outcomes study within an institution.


METHODS
Review of world wide scientific literature on outcomes research.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurse practitioners must be aware of the challenges of conducting outcomes research. Challenges associated with variable definition, designing outcomes studies, use of data sets, and instrument development and selection must be understood prior to undertaking an outcome study.


CONCLUSIONS
Valuable studies have laid a foundation for evidence of quality care provision by NPs. Now is the time to measure patient outcomes of the NP care longitudinally over significant periods of time.
Breslin
Eileen
E
University of Massachusetts, School of Nursing, Amherst, Mass., USA. breslin@nursing.umass.edu
Burns
Margaret
M
Moores
Patricia
P
D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012107:Research Design