Patient Outcomes in Orthopaedic Trauma: How to Evaluate if Your Treatment Is Really Working?

J Orthop Trauma. 2019 Jun:33 Suppl 6:S20-S24. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001470.

Abstract

Outcomes are critical to gauge the success of our treatments and, in particular, surgical interventions in orthopaedic trauma. Patient-reported outcomes have evolved to become the primary measurement of success in surgery. This article reviews the concepts relevant to understanding these outcomes including general health outcomes, extremity- and disease-specific outcomes, minimum clinically important difference, economic analysis of treatment cost/benefit, and the impact of psychosocial factors on outcomes. An understanding of these concepts is important to allow for effective interpretation and critical analysis of the literature as well as to facilitate the practice of evidence-based medicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Health Care Costs*
  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / injuries*
  • Orthopedic Procedures / economics
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods*
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  • Upper Extremity / injuries*
  • Wounds and Injuries / economics
  • Wounds and Injuries / therapy*