Mispredictions and misrecollections: Challenges for subjective outcome measurement

Abstract

Purpose. To review research from the behavioral sciences that demonstrates how predictions of future events – and memories of past events – are often systematically biased.

Method. Description of how these biases present challenges for subjective outcome measurement in rehabilitation settings, and for measuring health utility.

Results. Two new techniques for outcome measurement that have been specifically designed to resist these biases – Ecological Momentary Assessment and the Day Reconstruction Method are successful.

Conclusion. We propose that these techniques could be adopted for measuring rehabilitation outcomes.

Keywords:

• Subjective outcome measurement
• rehabilitation
• Ecological Momentary Assessment
• Day Reconstruction Method