This document discusses definitions of outcomes research and nursing outcomes. It provides examples of positive outcome research from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) websites, including studies on chronic pain management, prostate cancer treatment, asthma treatment, and autism interventions. It also notes some examples that require further research and potential for negative outcomes from a treatment decision aid for chest pain. The conclusion is that while the studies are not wasteful, the results are incomplete and need more research.

1. RESEARCH OUTCOME STUDIES
ALLYSON FLORES
TOURO UNIVERSITY NEVADA

2. DEFINITIONS
 Outcomes Research: Studies about the effects of care and treatments on
individuals and populations
 Nursing Outcomes: Measures of states, behaviors, or perceptions of
individuals, families, or communities as they relate to nursing and health
 Patient Related Outcomes: A type of outcome related to patient behaviors or
actions
(Schmidt & Brown, 2015, p. 488)

3. SOURCE SITES
 The mission of the AHRQ is to produce evidence to increase safety, quality,
accessibility and equitability and affordability in health care. They work within
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other partners to
ensure the evidence is understood and used (www.ahrq.gov, 2017).
 PCORI helps people make informed decisions about healthcare, and improves
healthcare delivery and outcomes, by producing evidence-based information
from research conducted by patients, caregivers, and the healthcare
community (www.pcori.org, p. 1)

4. POSITIVE-OUTCOME RESEARCH EXAMPLES
 PCORI states “Chronic pain disproportionately affects people with less education and low incomes”
www.pcori.org.research/results para,. 2). In this PCORI funded study, it was found that these patients who
received simplified versions of either cognitive behavioral therapy or pain education were better able to
manage chronic pain. These two methods offer nondrug approaches to help manage chronic pain, and
also resulted in improved physical function and lower depression (www.pcori.org/research/results para.,
2).
 Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
 Findings in two studies provide men with new evidence about side effects linked to treatment options
for prostate cancer. The studies help men better understand and weigh the risks and benefits of their
treatment options when consulting with their physicians (www.pcori.org/research/results para., 2).

5. POSITIVE-OUTCOME EXAMPLES THAT REQUIRE FURTHER RESEARCH
 The Role of Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Asthma
This article discusses the use of subcutaneous and sublingual therapies for treating allergic asthma and their effects on
reducing the need for long-term and quick relief medications and improving quality of life.
Date: March 2018
EPC Type: Comparative Effectiveness Reviews
EPC Name: Johns Hopkins University
 Interventions Targeting Sensory Challenges in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders- An Update
This article studied interventions that showed improvement in sensory, motor and language development in children
on the Autism spectrum.
Date: May 2017
EPC Type: Comparative Effectiveness Reviews
EPC Name: Vanderbilt University
(www.ahrq.gov, 2017)

6. POTENTIAL FOR A NEGATIVE OUTCOME
 Treatment Decision Aid for Chest Pain
The onset of chest pain often leads to a visit to the ER, even though most incidents are not the cause of a
heart attack or other serious heart condition. The questionnaire “Chest Pain Choice” was effective in helping
people become more knowledgeable about their risks and care options and helped them make decisions
about whether to skip unnecessary hospital testing and lengthy stays (www.pcori.org/research/results para.,
5).
 While patients and emergency staff alike would love to see less visits to the ER for “false alarms”, I feel
that, depending on the person performing the questionnaire, a misunderstanding could occur,
potentially leading to a catastrophic event. The original study states there were no major adverse cardiac
events due to the intervention.

7. CONCLUSION
 While I wouldn’t consider any of the studies wasteful, I don’t think they
represent true positive-outcome scenarios with results being incomplete and
needing further research.
 Both sites offer information that is useful to healthcare professionals, patients
and families.

8. REFERENCES
References
 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2017).
https://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports
 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. (2011-2018).
https://www.pcori.org/research-results
 Schmidt, N. A., & Brown, J. M. (2015). Evidence-Based Practice For Nurses Appraisal and Application of
Research (Third Edition ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett.