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Using patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice: challenges and opportunities

Quality of Life Research volume 18, pages 99–107 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

Introduce and explore issues at an international conference about the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical practice.

Methods

Review of salient literature, clinical and personal experiences, conference presentations and discussions, and post-conference comments from outside experts.

Results

PROs (information from patients about a health condition and its management) have been assessed through self-reports for at least four decades. Traditional applications are in clinical and health services research. Uses in clinical practice, although increasing, are less common and more challenging. PROs can enhance the understanding of patients’ experiences and responses to therapy and inform clinical practice.

Conclusions

We pose and discuss four main questions: (1) Will clinicians accept PRO measures? (2) Will clinicians use PRO measures? (3) Will measuring PROs actually improve those outcomes? (4) Will PROs be perceived as having other, less salutary purposes? A patient-centered perspective on PRO measurement presents issues about the extent to which PROs can accurately capture patient experiences and assess psychosocial and environmental factors that influence communication with clinicians and eventual outcomes. We end with comments about the intersection of PROs and bioethics, noting contributions that PROs may make to beneficence, patient autonomy, and distributive justice.

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Abbreviations

ADLs:

Activities of daily living

HRQOL:

Health-related quality of life

PRO:

Patient-reported outcome

QOL:

Quality of life

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank Loraine Monroe of RTI International for her outstanding word-processing support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social and Statistical Sciences, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA

    Kathleen N. Lohr

  2. University of Michigan School of Social Work, 1080 S. University, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-1106, USA

    Bradley J. Zebrack

Authors
  1. Kathleen N. Lohr
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  2. Bradley J. Zebrack
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kathleen N. Lohr.

Additional information

Kathleen N. Lohr—Distinguished Fellow (Health Services Research).

Bradley J. Zebrack—Associate Professor and 23-year survivor of Hodgkin’s disease.

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Lohr, K.N., Zebrack, B.J. Using patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice: challenges and opportunities. Qual Life Res 18, 99–107 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-008-9413-7

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