Outcomes
Today's Health Care Environment is focused on providing high quality/cost
effective care. In order to determine the most effective means of treatment,
the results of treatment methods must be tracked and compared. Several
factors must be considered if the health care delivery system is to
find the proper balance between the high level of quality health care
Americans have long enjoyed and the cost effectiveness that they desire.
Outcome Assessment Studies allow for the tracking, analysis and comparison
of various treatment methods and for the evaluation of new technologies.
These studies evaluate:
- Costs - All related cost factors (hospitalization, rehab,
time away from work, etc.)
- Patient Health Status - Patient's perception of their health
- Patient Satisfaction - Patient's satisfaction with the care
as compared to their expectations
- Clinical Results - Physician's report of health based on
clinical evaluations
The data derived from outcomes assessment systems
are useful for many
reasons:
- Physicians use outcomes assessment data to determine the
most effective methods of treatment for various conditions.
- This information is also used to educate patients, like yourself,
as to the results that are commonly expected from different methods
of care and to assist patients in making more informed decisions (with
their families, physicians, etc.) about the best means of treatment
for themselves.
- Insurance companies look to this information to determine
which treatment methods will be covered within their health care plans.
During the course of your treatment you may be asked to participate
in an Outcomes Assessment Study. Your participation in a study
will help provide the information required to continually improve treatment
methods and ultimately, the entire health care system. If requested,
your participation will be greatly appreciated.
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