The Use of Standardized Outcome Measures in Rehabilitation Centres in the UK

Aim: To identify the standardized outcome measures currently used in routine clinical practice in rehabilitation centres in the UK.

Design: Cross-sectional survey by postal questionnaire.

Participants: All UK consultant members of the British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine (BSRM) (n = 180).

Results: A total of 108 (60%) responses were received, representing 83 different rehabilitation services. Of these, 71 (86%) collected at least one standardized measure. The Barthel Index and the UK Functional Independence Measure and/or Functional Assessment Measure (FIM +/- FAM) were the most popular global outcome measures: 83% of units measured one or other of these. The Northwick Park Dependency Scale (NPDS) and Care Needs Assessment (NPCNA) (n = 21, 28%) were used for the more dependent patients. Depression and pain scores were more commonly used than general health measures. Sixty (72%) units routinely assessed outcome through the achievement of set goals, but only four transformed data to a goal attainment scale. Outcome measure scores were routinely reported in discharge summaries by 72% of units.

Conclusions: The survey demonstrated quite widespread use of outcome assessments in routine clinical rehabilitation within the UK, with an encouraging level of common measurement in some areas of practice. The results have been used to update the BSRM 'basket of recommended measures'.