Measurement in Medicine

The success of the Apgar score demonstrates the astounding power of an appropriate clinical instrument. This down-to-earth book provides practical advice, underpinned by theoretical principles, on developing and evaluating measurement instruments in all fields of medicine. It equips you to choose the most appropriate instrument for specific purposes. The book covers measurement theories, methods and criteria for evaluating and selecting instruments. It provides methods to assess measurement properties, such as reliability, validity and responsiveness, and interpret the results. Worked examples and end-of-chapter assignments use real data and well-known instruments to build your skills at implementation and interpretation through hands-on analysis of real-life cases. All data and solutions are available online. This is a perfect course book for students and a perfect companion for professionals/researchers in the medical and health sciences who care about the quality and meaning of the measurements they perform. Henrica C. W. de Vet, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Caroline B. Terwee, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Lidwine B. Mokkink, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Dirk L. Knol, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Features • The first book to focus on the methodology of all measurements in medicine • Provides a solid background in measurement evaluation theory • Based on feedback from extensive classroom experience Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Concepts, theories and models, and types of measurements 3. The development of a measurement instrument 4. Field testing – item reduction and data structure 5. Reliability 6. Validity 7. Responsiveness 8. Interpretation 9. Systematic reviews of measurement properties Index.  

Henrica C. W. de Vet, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Caroline B. Terwee, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Lidwine B. Mokkink, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Dirk L. Knol, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam