One report, multiple aims: orthopedic surgeons vary how they use patient-reported outcomes with patients

We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with surgeons to assess their goals for incorporating a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM)-based shared decision report into discussions around surgical and non-surgical treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.

Surgeons actively enrolling patients into a study incorporating a standardized PROM-based shared decision report were invited to participate in a semi-structured interview lasting 30 min. Open-ended questions explored how the surgeon used report content, features that were helpful, confusing, or could be improved, and how use of the report fit into the surgeon's workflow. We used a conventional content analysis approach.

Of the 16 eligible surgeons, 11 agreed to participate with 9 completing the interview and 2 withdrawing due to work demands. We identified 8 themes related to PROM-based report use: Acceptability, Patient Characteristics, Communication Goals, Useful Content, Not Useful Content, Challenges, Training Needs, and Recommended Improvements. Additional sub-themes emerged for Communication Goals (7) and Challenges (8). All surgeons shared positive feedback about using the report as part of clinical care. Whereas surgeons described the use of the report to achieve different goals, the most common uses related to setting expectations for post-surgical outcomes (89%) and educating patients (100%).

Surgeons tailor their use of a PROM-based report with individual patients to achieve a range of aims. This study suggests multiple opportunities to further our understanding of the ways PROMs can be used in clinical practice. The way PROM information is visually displayed and multi-component reports are assembled can facilitate diverse aims.