Methods of evaluation in outcomes research

Abstract

This activity is designed for pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other healthcare team members; payers for health services; and healthcare executives.

Goal: To provide basic information on the methods used and computer software available for evaluating invariant factorial structures, such as those found in health status measurement tools.

Objectives: 1. Discuss why comparison of mean scores may not be appropriate when interpreting humanistic outcomes results. 2. Identify alternative methods for evaluating data from health status measurement tools, such as the SF-36. 3. Define validity, reliability, and structure. 4. Understand the value of structural equation modeling when using health status measurement tools, such as the SF-36. 5. Describe the statistical software used to perform structural equation modeling.