In the recent times the result and outcomes of health care systems, the well-being of patients and quality of health care given to populations is determined by outcome research. Public health research which often involves outcomes research sets to measure the result of different intervention methods and medical treatments that are offered to patients and populations. The study usually utilizes the basic sciences of statistical data and epidemiology with public health, clinical and policy orientation which draws from fields of psychology, sociology, economics and management sciences (Krumholz 2005). It is meant to help the stakeholders in the health sector to make informed decisions and consequently improve the quality of healthcare that is offered to patients.
The outcomes and end results in patients may include their ability to function and their experiences after medical intervention, and it is an important tool that helps clinicians to make informed decisions concerning the risks, benefits and the results of interventions. It also acts as an important instrument in developing effective guidelines on how to treat each patient according to their needs. Therefore, the focus on the outcomes or end results of healthcare interventions practices and policies are primarily defined by the outcomes research that determines the effectiveness of these particular studies (Clancy & Eisenberg 1998).
One of the examples of an outcome research that has been carried in the recent past includes the effectiveness of early intervention on patients with chronic conditions. Most chronic diseases may not have any effective known cure, but the effectiveness of timely medical care may determine the quality of life for such patients. The outcome or result of this particular case may include the mortality and quality of life of these individual patients. By studying the effects of such interventions, clinicians and other health care providers can ascertain the best practices to be applied in every particular case to ensure the best outcomes in every case. Improving health outcomes is a major concern for every health care provider as well as the patients and, therefore, the results of any intervention serves as a key component in better decision making which in turns ensures improved practice.
The population is more conscious today of how health care is provided and the effectiveness of every intervention that is offered to the patients. The best interests of the patients and society and the capabilities of the medical field must be bridged by a scientific discipline (Krumholz 2008). There must be presented evidence of what has been achieved by the medical field and the health care system, and the results of these efforts must be submitted by considering all variables to be able to ascertain the necessary improvements that must be done. The experience and insights from the patients will also serve as an important source of information about the outcomes of the concerted efforts that have been put in place to ensure the best results. Outcomes research has substantially altered the culture of health care research and clinical practice by changing how the medical professionals assess the outcomes or end results of the services and interventions that are offered.
The fundamental research questions that are formulated in this kind of study should be able to address the steps that can be taken to achieve a desirable outcome of a certain intervention and what it achieved or accomplished. Even the seemingly best interventions may not be effective due to many reasons which may include the adoption methods used by clinicians, the way they are applied and the skills of the medical practitioners applying them. The outcome research provides professionals with the best tools and channels that they will use when monitoring and improving the health care quality both in managed care and traditional settings. It is the best way to know how to achieve the best quality of interventions and how to achieve and accomplish them.
Reference
Clancy, C. M & Eisenberg, J. M. (1998). Outcomes Research: Measuring the End Results of Health Care. Science 282, 245–246.
Krumholz, H. M. (2008). Outcomes Research: Generating Evidence for Best Practice and Policies. Circulation 118, 309-318
Krumholz, H. M. (2005). Careers in Outcomes Research. Journal of the American College of Cardiology 46: 35A–36A.
