Author(s)

Sandra L. Carroll¹, Karen Harkness², Michael Hugh McGillion¹

¹McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
²Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Canada.

Aim: A discussion of the measurement of functional status in cardiovascular research. Background: Selection of appropriate outcome measures and instrumentation is vital for nurse researchers to ensure that outcomes align conceptually and are measured using reliable and valid tools. Functional status is a well-known outcome in cardiovascular research—however attention to underlying conceptual differences that may influence choices of whether to include subjective or objective measures is needed. Design: This work is a discussion paper: seminal research reporting the development, validation, and reliability testing of the NYHA classification system and the Duke Treadmill Score. Implications for nursing: Conceptually clarity and comprehensive appraisal of the reliability and validity of outcome measures in nursing research are essential to ensure high level of quality outcomes that will benefit patients.

Nursing Practice, Function, Measurement, Cardiovascular Disease, Framework

Carroll, S. , Harkness, K. and McGillion, M. (2014) A Comparison of the NYHA Classification and the Duke Treadmill Score in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease. Open Journal of Nursing, 4, 774-783. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2014.411083.