===== Patient Outcome =====

A **patient [[outcome]]** refers to any **measurable change in health status** (positive or negative) that occurs as a **result of medical care, intervention, or disease progression**.

==== Types of Patient Outcomes ====
  * **[[Clinical outcome]]s**: Survival, recovery, complication rates, recurrence, neurological status.
  * **[[Functional outcome]]s**: Ability to perform daily activities, mobility, independence.
  * **[[Quality of life]] (QoL)**: Physical, emotional, and social well-being as perceived by the patient.
  * **[[Patient-reported outcome]]s (PROs)**: Symptoms, satisfaction, pain levels, reported directly by the patient.

==== Importance ====
  * Central to **evidence-based medicine** and **clinical decision-making**.
  * Used to assess the **efficacy, safety, and value** of interventions or procedures.
  * Required for **clinical trials**, **healthcare quality metrics**, and **treatment guidelines**.