Abstract
Background: COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) is an initiative of an international multidisciplinary team of researchers who aim to improve the selection of outcome measurement instruments both in research and in clinical practice by developing tools for selecting the most appropriate available instrument. Method: In this paper these tools are described, i.e. the COSMIN taxonomy and definition of measurement properties; the COSMIN checklist to evaluate the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties; a search filter for finding studies on measurement properties; a protocol for systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; a database of systematic reviews of outcome measurement instruments; and a guideline for selecting outcome measurement instruments for Core Outcome Sets in clinical trials. Currently, we are updating the COSMIN checklist, particularly the standards for content validity studies. Also new standards for studies using Item Response Theory methods will be developed. Additionally, in the future we want to develop standards for studies on the quality of non-patient reported outcome measures, such as clinician-reported outcomes and performance-based outcomes. Conclusions: In summary, we plea for more standardization in the use of outcome measurement instruments, for conducting high quality systematic reviews on measurement instruments in which the best available outcome measurement instrument is recommended, and for stopping the use of poor outcome measurement instruments.
Highlights
COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) is an initiative of an international multidisciplinary team of researchers with a background in epidemiology, psychometrics, qualitative research, and health care, who have expertise in the development and evaluation of outcome measurement instruments[1]
Guideline for selecting outcome measurement instruments for outcomes included in a Core Outcome Set
When examining the interrater reliability and agreement of the items of the COSMIN checklist, we found that the reliability of the individual items was low, but that the agreement between raters was appropriate for 80% of the items[17]
Summary
• COSMIN aims to improve instrument selection in research and clinical practice. • Description of COSMIN tools for selecting most appropriate instrument. • Call for standardization in instrument use. • Call for conducting high quality systematic reviews on instruments. • Call for stopping the use of poor measurement instruments.
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