Outcomes Important To Measure For Patients Following Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery
Abstract
This thesis aimed to investigate the outcomes that are important to measure for patients following LSFS. First, a systematic review identified outcomes that have been measured for patients from existing LSFS literature. Findings from 50 included studies found 35 outcomes have been measured. Second, a secondary analysis of qualitative study explored patients' perceptions identifying 25 outcomes perceived as important to measure. Synthesis of findings across studies showed variability of outcomes and different perspectives reflecting that the outcomes measured in research are sometimes the same, but they can also vary from what patients perceive as important. These outcomes were related to 3 ICF components of body functions, activities and participation and environmental factors, with the activities and participation component highly representative of outcomes important to measure. It was also noted that the ICF did not encompass some outcomes reported. Results were inconclusive in recommending important outcomes following LSFS; therefore, further research conducting a primary qualitative study is needed.