Lessons Learned in Implementing Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in the Australian Breast Device Registry...

Area of Science:

• Clinical quality registries
• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)
• Health informatics

Background:

• The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) collects surgical data and PROMs for breast device performance evaluation.
• ABDR is the first national registry using the BREAST-Q Implant Surveillance module for PROMs via text messaging.
• PROMs implementation followed successful acceptability, feasibility, and pilot studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine implementation challenges faced by the ABDR in collecting PROMs.
• To share lessons learned for future registry studies and interventions.
• To inform strategies for increasing patient participation in PROMs surveys.

Main Methods:

• Tracked completed follow-ups and stakeholder feedback (sites, surgeons, patients) from October 2017 to December 2018.
• Contacted 10,617 patients for PROMs surveys.

Main Results:

• Achieved response rates of 59% for breast augmentation and 77% for breast reconstruction patients.
• Identified and addressed key challenges: database setup, follow-up methods, ethics, education, costs, and evaluation.
• Developed solutions based on prior studies, enhanced communication, and flexible PROMs modification.

Conclusions:

• ABDR's PROMs experience provides valuable insights for other registries.
• Strategies for overcoming obstacles and increasing patient participation are detailed.
• Data harmonization is critical for global breast device registries to understand patient outcomes and device performance.