10 Things We Love About OATs!

Outcome assessment tools (OATs) are standardized questionnaires that help healthcare providers, including chiropractors, evaluate and document patient progress and treatment effectiveness. They’re becoming a bigger deal in evidence-based healthcare, and their inclusion in chiropractic practices is important.

So, why do some doctors overlook these useful tools? One reason might be that they’re not fully aware of just how beneficial OATs can be.

Let’s explore the 10 reasons we love OATs:

1. 1. Quantify patient limitation: OATs offer an objective way to measure functional limitations and disabilities, enabling practitioners to track patient progress over time.
   2. Measure and document functional improvement: OATs provide solid evidence showing progress, which can justify ongoing care and highlight how effective the treatment has been.
   3. Develop patient-specific treatment goals: By pinpointing specific areas of limitation, OATs help develop tailored treatment plans that cater to individual needs and goals.
   4. Enhance doctor-patient communication: OATs act as a common language between the chiropractor and the patient, helping convey progress and objectives, which in turn boosts patient satisfaction and engagement.
   5. Improved decision-making: With the objective data OATs provide, chiropractors and patients can make informed choices regarding treatment plans and goals, enhancing collaboration and outcomes.
   6. Support evidence-based practice: OATs enable doctors to track outcomes and compare against established benchmarks, making sure that care aligns with best practices for maximum effectiveness.
   7. Improve quality of care: OATs offer a systematic approach to measure and monitor patient progress, helping identify areas for improvement in the quality of care provided.Measure the effectiveness of chiropractic care in research studies: For researchers examining chiropractic care effectiveness, OATs are invaluable. They standardize outcomes across different studies and populations, making comparisons easier.
   8. Identify patients at risk of poor outcomes: Some OATs can help chiropractors identify patients at risk of poor outcomes and tailor treatment accordingly.
   9. Guide treatment based on functional outcome deficiencies: By identifying functional outcome deficiencies, OATs help shape care plans geared towards improving patient functionality.

At KMCU, we are big fans of Outcome assessment tools (OATs)!

They make a difference in ensuring that care is not just necessary but also effective and centered on the patient. By integrating OATs into practice, chiropractors can enhance their care quality, showcase the value of chiropractic services, and even potentially boost revenue. Tracking patient progress with these tools ultimately allows chiropractors to deliver exceptional care while advancing the field of evidence-based chiropractic practice.

Dr. Erin Stubblefield graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA in 2006. After practicing privately, she transitioned to education and taught Chiropractic education for 13 years before joining KMC University as a Specialist in 2024. Currently, Dr. Stubblefield is the owner of Sunflower Consulting, LLC, a healthcare consulting and practice coaching group. Dr. Stubblefield partners with KMC to provide accurate, current, and compliant information. For further information, you can reach her at drerin@kmcuniversity.com.