Field of medicine: Health measurement methods.

Format: Hardcover book.

Audience: Clinical researchers and thoughtful practitioners in many medical disciplines.

Purpose: To provide a guide to existing health measurement methods in many areas, including physical disability, psychological well-being, social health, depression, mental status, pain, and quality of life.

Content: The authors follow a standard format for each health measurement reviewed: title, author, year, purpose, conceptual basis, description, reliability and validity, alternative measures, reference standards, commentary, and references.

Highlights: Each chapter has a summary Table that compares the important features of the measurements reviewed in that chapter. The conclusion of each chapter summarizes the current state of the art in that area of measurement and suggests directions for further development.

Limitations: Because of the subject matter, the reviews are by necessity very technical. However, the introductory and concluding sections of each chapter place the material in context and make it more accessible.

Context: Given the current emphasis on outcomes research and accountability in health care, this book satisfies a major need for clinicians and researchers who require a working knowledge of health measurement methods. This edition contains new chapters on measures of depression and mental status and a greatly expanded chapter on measures of general health status and quality of life.

Reviewer: David B. Schubot, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin.