What are 'healthcare outcome measures' primarily used for?

Healthcare outcome measures are primarily used to assess the results of healthcare services provided. These measures focus on the impact of healthcare interventions on patient health and quality of life. By evaluating the outcomes, healthcare professionals and organizations can determine the effectiveness of treatments, track improvements over time, and identify areas that may require improvement.

Outcome measures can include various metrics, such as recovery rates, symptom improvement, patient survival rates, and overall health status after treatment. They provide valuable insights into how well healthcare services are achieving their intended goals, ultimately guiding decision-making processes for clinicians and policymakers alike.

While other aspects, like efficiency, patient satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness, are also important components of healthcare evaluation, they do not directly measure the health outcomes resulting from the care provided, which is the primary focus of healthcare outcome measures.