Selecting Target Outcomes

Criteria for Selecting Target Outcomes for the Process-of-Care Investigation



1. Statistically significant outcome differences
It is best to select only outcomes with statistically significant differences between groups for the subsequent investigation of care provision. It is recommended a level of < .10 be used except under extenuating circumstances.
If more than three outcomes show significant differences, additional criteria should be applied to narrow the target outcomes to a maximum number of two or three.
2. Larger magnitude of the outcome differences
The magnitude of the differences is assessed by reviewing the actual percentage of patients achieving the outcome in both the current and reference groups.
For example, an outcome difference of two percentage points between groups in terms of hospitalization rates, although possibly statistically significant if sample sizes are large enough, is not as important as a difference of 10 or more percentage points.
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