The Medical Outcomes Study

An Application of Methods for Monitoring the Results of Medical Care

Alvin R. Tarlov, John E. Ware, Sheldon Greenfield, Eugene C. Nelson, Edward Perrin, Michael Zubkoff

ResearchPublished 1989

The Medical Outcomes Study was designed to (1) determine whether variations in patient outcomes are explained by differences in system of care, clinician specialty, and clinicians' technical and interpersonal styles, and (2) develop more practical tools for the routine monitoring of patient outcomes in medical practice. Outcomes included clinical end points; physical, social, and role functioning in everyday living; patients' perceptions of their general health and well-being; and satisfaction with treatment. Populations of clinicians (n=523) were randomly sampled from different health care settings in Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In the cross-sectional study, adult patients (n=22,462) evaluated their health status and treatment. A sample of these patients (n=2,349) with diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and/or depression was selected for the longitudinal study. Hospitalizations and other treatments were monitored, and patients periodically reported outcomes of care. At the beginning and end of the longitudinal study, Medical Outcomes Study staff performed physical examinations and laboratory tests.

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  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Available
  • Year: 1989
  • Print Format: Paperback
  • Paperback Pages: 6
  • Paperback Price: $20.00
  • Document Number: N-3038-RWJ/HJK/PMT

Citation

RAND Style Manual
Tarlov, Alvin R., John E. Ware, Sheldon Greenfield, Eugene C. Nelson, Edward Perrin, and Michael Zubkoff, The Medical Outcomes Study: An Application of Methods for Monitoring the Results of Medical Care, RAND Corporation, N-3038-RWJ/HJK/PMT, 1989. As of September 11, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/N3038.html
Chicago Manual of Style
Tarlov, Alvin R., John E. Ware, Sheldon Greenfield, Eugene C. Nelson, Edward Perrin, and Michael Zubkoff, The Medical Outcomes Study: An Application of Methods for Monitoring the Results of Medical Care. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1989. https://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/N3038.html. Also available in print form.
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