Selecting patient-reported outcome measures: "what" and "for whom"

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Psychometrics
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly vital in healthcare.
• The proliferation of PROMs and psychometric advancements create selection challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a framework for categorizing PROMs.
• To aid healthcare leaders and policymakers in selecting appropriate PROMs.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of PROMs based on measurement scope (condition-specific vs. universal) and target (domain-specific vs. global).
• Development of four distinct PROM categories with clinical examples.

Main Results:

• PROMs are classified into four types: condition-specific/domain-specific, condition-specific/global, universal/global, and universal/domain-specific.
• The framework offers a structured approach to PROM selection.

Conclusions:

• This categorization empowers informed decision-making for PROM implementation.
• Effective PROM selection is crucial for advancing high-quality, patient-centered care.