BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 1996;312(7037):1016-20
Plain language summary
The patient's personal experience of illness, as well as the influence of the wide variety of help and treatments they seek, needs to be incorporated into the measurement process. The aim of the study was to test the instrument, the "measure yourself medical outcome profile"—MYMOP—alongside the SF-36 health survey for responsiveness, validity, and clinical usefulness in primary care. The study’s sample consisted of 265 patients, of whom 218 were recruited by general practitioners and 47 by complementary practitioners. MYMOP was designed and piloted in the practice over four months. It consists of four items, each scored by the patient on a seven-point scale. Results indicate that the instrument was applicable to all patients presenting with symptoms to conventional and complementary practitioners, and it elicited high response and completion rates. Responsiveness to change of the SF-36 health survey was poor no matter what the method of assessment. Authors conclude that the MYMOP questionnaire and chart can be used to visually chart progress and quantify outcomes in case studies.