Implementation Challenges Using a Novel Method for Collecting Patient-Reported Outcomes After Injury

Area of Science:

• Trauma Care
• Patient-Reported Outcomes
• Digital Health

Background:

• Longitudinal monitoring of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is vital for comprehensive trauma care.
• Current PRO monitoring methods are resource-intensive and often fail to engage patients effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and patient experience of using a novel internet-based survey platform for collecting PROs in trauma patients.
• To identify barriers and facilitators to patient enrollment and survey completion in this population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of adult trauma patients meeting specific length-of-stay or operation criteria.
• Administration of validated questionnaires via an internet-based platform with 3-month follow-up.
• Collection of contextual field notes on enrollment/completion barriers and participant challenges.

Main Results:

• 55% of eligible patients enrolled, with 73% completing initial surveys; 38% completed 3-month follow-up.
• Key barriers included technological constraints, lack of email access, competing hospital tasks, and poor patient engagement.
• The platform was rated as easy to use by 74%, with 95% willing to respond to future surveys.

Conclusions:

• An internet-based survey platform is rated highly by patients but faces significant enrollment and engagement challenges in the trauma population.
• Technological issues and the demands of hospitalization impede participation.
• Future efforts must focus on optimizing engagement, improving access to reminders, and integrating surveys into clinical workflows.