Measurement is an inherent human behavior; we as a species tend to categorize things. Measurement in its abstract sense is defined as the action of measuring something. With the increasing focus on evidence based practice and reproducible research in healthcare, the use of standardized instruments has gained more relevance. The use of such instruments has been advocated for many years. These instruments have been referred in the literature using various terms such as “health status measures”, “disability measures”, “outcome measures” and “quality of life measures”. The outcome measure term has gained wider acceptance over the years and is non-uniformly used by the rehabilitation professionals for naming standardized instruments. There are a plethora of outcome measures that are used in rehabilitation sciences. Understanding these outcome measures will be needed for improved patient care. There understanding is must for a better outcome.

Definition

An outcome measure is any characteristic or quality measured to assess a patient’s status.

Classification

In order to use an outcome measure in clinical practice the first thing that needs to be understood is: What are the various types of Outcome Measures? By classifying the outcome measures into different categories it will be easier to appropriately implement them according to their need. Outcome measures are classified into two broad categories:-

1.  Questionnaires

2.  Performance-based outcome measures

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