How to interpret clinical outcome data in plastic surgery research and clinical practice.

Abstract

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in clinical and academic plastic surgery, but interpretation of PROMs is not always straightforward. Similarly, other clinical outcome data may also be challenging to interpret. Poor interpretation of data risks drawing incorrect conclusions about a person's health status, or the effectiveness of a treatment. This article provides an overview of clinical data interpretation, particularly for those who wish to understand or use PROMs in clinical practice or research. We will cover topics including normative values, measurement error, responsiveness, minimal important difference and minimal important change, with a focus on appraising studies that incorporate these concepts.