Ten Recommendations for Advancing Patient-Centered Outcomes Measurement for Older Persons

2 September 2003 | Volume 139 Issue 5 Part 2 | Pages 403-409

The past 50 years have seen great progress in the measurement of patient-based outcomes for older populations. Most of the measures now used were created under the umbrella of a set of assumptions and procedures known as classical test theory. A recent alternative for health status assessment is item response theory. Item response theory is superior to classical test theory because it can eliminate test dependency and achieve more precise measurement through computerized adaptive testing. Computerized adaptive testing reduces test administration times and allows varied and precise estimates of ability. Several key challenges must be met before computerized adaptive testing becomes a productive reality. I discuss these challenges for the health assessment of older persons in the form of 10 "Ds": things we need to deliberate, debate, decide, and do.

Author and Article Information

From Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Indiana University School of Medicine; Regenstrief Institute; and Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Grant Support: In part by the Department of Veterans Affairs (grants RR&D C-2488-R and RCS 02-066-1).

Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.

Requests for Single Reprints: Colleen A. McHorney, PhD, Regenstrief Institute, RHC 6th Floor, 1050 Wishard Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46202; e-mail, cmchorney{at}regenstrief.org.