Strategies for outcome research in spinal disorders. An introduction
Liang, M.H.; Andersson, G.; Bombardier, C.; Cherkin, D.C.; Deyo, R.A.; Keller, R.B.; Lee, C.K.; Lipscomb, B.; Shekelle, P.; Spratt, K.F.
Spine 19(18 Suppl): 2037s-2040s
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0362-2436 PMID: 7801180 Document Number: 438890
The evaluation of the clinical utility of the clinical diagnostic tests and procedures, what works in spinal disorders, and for whom and how treatment affects a patient's symptoms and function are key questions of outcomes research. This paper describes the advantages and limitations of the main study approaches used. Examples from the spine literature on spinal stenosis are used for illustration.