Contribution
An introduction to the use of outcomes questionnaires in osteopathic practice

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Abstract

Background:

Outcomes assessment and management is rapidly becoming a necessary part of daily osteopathic practice. Third-party payers such as workers compensation schemes, motor vehicle accident compensation schemes and health insurance companies are increasingly encouraging that osteopaths incorporate the use of outcomes assessment into their practice.

Purpose:

To provide an outline of the common outcome measurement questionnaires that are of particular relevance to osteopathic practice. Each of the following outcome questionnaire is reviewed: Patient Specific Functional Scale, Neck Disability Index, Upper Extremity Functional Index, Shoulder (Croft) Disability Questionnaire, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, Oswestry Low Back Pain/Disability Questionnaire, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, Lower Extremity Functional Index, McGill Pain Questionnaire.

Discussion:

Selection of appropriate questionnaires and basic terminology is outlined. Implementation of the questionnaires into daily practice, their interpretation, recording and tracking of results is also discussed.

Conclusions:

This paper presents a number of common outcomes questionnaires that are reliable, valid and suitable for use in everyday osteopathic practice. They are generally well understood by the patient, time-efficient, easily scored by the clinician and thus, the use of these questionnaires should not be a burden on practice administration, the practitioner or the patient.

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