This document discusses the importance of outcomes assessment in healthcare. It defines outcomes assessment as the collection and use of information about a patient's health and the effects of treatment over time. Providers are accountable to document treatment plans, patient progress, and outcomes using valid and reliable tools. Common tools discussed are questionnaires that measure general health, pain, function, and disability for conditions like back pain and neck pain. Regular use of standardized tools is important for assessing baseline status and tracking the effects of treatment.