The measurement of outcome in opiate treatment evaluation studies

Abstract

One of the major contributors to the fragmentation of the opiate treatment outcome literature has been the plethora of measurement techniques employed by researchers. This has led to a situation where direct comparability between studies is often extremely difficult, if not impossible. In this article the measurement methodologies employed in the major treatment outcome studies are reviewed, and the implications for future research discussed.

Key words:

• Opiate
• outcome measures
• treatment evaluation