The status of outcome measurement in amputee rehabilitation in Canada

OBJECTIVE: To describe how centers of amputee care in Canada evaluate program and patient outcome. DESIGN: National postal survey. SETTING: Amputee rehabilitation centers across Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-four medical directors. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Type and frequency of use of program evaluation, formal and informal patient outcome measures data, and how collected data was used. RESULTS: Forty-four clinics responded (response rate, 72%). Program evaluation was conducted in some format by at least 18 centers. Twelve centers conducted regular chart audits, whereas 15 indicated their intention to submit an annual program report. The majority of centers collected information on patient outcomes; however, most used informal measures. Thirty-nine clinics used part or all of a checklist of informal measures of skill attainment. The most common standardized outcome measure was the FIM instrument (18 centers). Eighteen centers used a form of mobility performance such as walking speed or timed walk test. Eighteen of 39 centers that responded to this section did not collect any formal patient outcome measures. The most frequently used outcome measures were the nonstandardized informal measures of independence. CONCLUSION: A diverse selection of program- and patient-related outcome measures were used by Canadian amputee centers. Outcomes could be better compared if all centers used similar outcome measures.