Functional Status Measurement in Primary Care

The assessment of outcomes of medical intervention is a central concern of patients, physicians, nurses and government agencies who pay for medical care. Outcome assessments are incomplete without measurements of functional status. This study intends to provide a survey of psychometric issues as applied to functional status assessment. It details the practical experience of general practitioners in several countries with functional status measurements in their patient populations. International experience with the use of Darthmouth COOP Charts is described along with practical applications with ambulatory patients.