Generalizability: Linking Evidence to Practice

Abstract

The basic concept of generalizability is simple: the results of a study are generalizable when they can be applied (are useful for informing a clinical decision) to patients who present for care. Clinicians must make reasoned decisions about generalizability of research findings beyond a study population. This requires nuanced understanding of the condition that defines the population, the study intervention, and the patient. Ultimately, clinicians must decide the level of generalizability of a study and determine how to weight the information in arriving at a treatment decision. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(1):45–46. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.0701

Topics & Concepts