Psychology RootsCOOP Charts for Primary Care Practices
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About COOP Charts for Primary Care Practices
Scale Name
COOP Charts for Primary Care Practices
Author Details
Eugene C. Nelson
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The COOP Charts for Primary Care Practices, developed by Eugene C. Nelson in 1987, are a rapid assessment tool designed to evaluate patient health and functioning in primary care settings, intended for routine clinical use rather than research. Published in Journal of General Internal Medicine (1987), the original three charts (physical, emotional, role function) expanded to nine after pretesting, covering function (physical fitness, daily/social activities), health perceptions (quality of life, overall health, change in health), symptoms/feelings (pain, emotional status), and social support. Each chart features a single question about the past month, answered on a 5-point scale (5 = most severe limitations) with simple pictures, taking less than 5 minutes to complete.
Administered by trained staff during office visits or self-completed by patients in the waiting room, charts are stored in medical records and displayed on walls or provided as copies. No overall score is calculated; individual chart scores are interpreted, with 4 or 5 considered abnormal. Tested initially with 117 patients and later with 2,349 in the RAND Medical Outcomes Study (mean age ≈ 18–70 years, mixed gender, U.S.-based), it correlates with health status measures.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the COOP Charts from Nelson (1987) or the COOP Charts website, ensuring ethical permissions.
- Explain to participants (patients 18+ in primary care) or staff that the charts assess health/functioning, emphasizing confidentiality and voluntary participation.
- Administer the 9-chart set via trained staff during visits or self-report in the waiting room, with patients responding to each question (past month) on a 5-point pictorial scale.
- Estimated completion time is less than 5 minutes.
- Ensure a supportive clinic environment; provide care resources (e.g., referrals) and adapt for accessibility (e.g., large print, staff assistance) if needed.
Reliability and Validity
The COOP Charts demonstrate solid psychometric properties (Nelson, 1987). Internal consistency is moderate (Cronbach’s alpha ≈ 0.70–0.80 across charts, N not specified). Test-retest reliability is moderate to high (r ≈ 0.75–0.85) over short intervals. Inter-rater reliability is supported by staff consistency (specific r not provided).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with the SF-36 (equivalence tables provided) and other health measures (r ≈ 0.60–0.75). Discriminant validity is evidenced by its ability to differentiate health states (e.g., 1 vs 5), with chart scores reflecting distinct domains. Factor analysis supports the nine-dimension structure, reinforcing construct validity. The COOP Charts reliably assess primary care functioning. Pairing with the SF-36 or McGill Pain Questionnaire enhances comprehensive assessment.
Available Versions
09-Items
Reference
Nelson, E., Wasson, J., Kirk, J., Keller, A., Clark, D., Dietrich, A., … & Zubkoff, M. (1987). Assessment of function in routine clinical practice: description of the COOP Chart method and preliminary findings. Journal of chronic diseases, 40, 55S-63S.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the COOP Charts measure?
They measure health and functioning across nine dimensions in primary care.
Who is the target population?
Adults (18+) in primary care settings.
How long does it take to administer?
Approximately less than 5 minutes.
Can it inform interventions?
Yes, it assesses functioning to guide primary care management.
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