Outcome measurement

Outcome measurement is the process of quantifying and capturing the results of an intervention or action over time, often used in healthcare. It is commonly utilised to report on outcomes at patient level, to show service effectiveness to commissioners and potential service users and to inform the clinical audit and planning of specific interventions. This chapter discusses outcome measurement in brain injury rehabilitation, including the challenges in capturing change in such a diversity of presentations. The evidence section includes a consideration of the way different audiences for outcome measures may influence the data collection in relation to SLT interventions. The clinical section of this chapter considers the options available to clinicians, discussing the relative merits of using patient-reported outcome measures and presenting some tools with specific relevance to communication and swallowing rehabilitation for adults with ABI.