ABSTRACT
Should the measurement of outcomes-either using a benchmark or not-be considered scientific? This question is of importance for, when one can speak of a scientific status, the results of research into outcomes can have consequences which go far beyond the specific care process which constitutes the topic of outcome measurement. Does outcome measurement have scientific value? If so, what is the value and how can we use the results for the development of the medical field? The discussion below draws heavily upon the outstanding overview entitled Evaluating health interventions by John Øvretveit (1998).
