6. Implementation of PRO assessment in clinical practice
2. Specify goal(s) and scope
Goals should reflect setting-specific needs and expected benefits, existing preconditions/resources, and the organisation’s overall policy. They need to be measurable and realistically achievable within a defined time frame.
Typical goal areas include:
Identification and/or monitoring of clinically relevant issues to
identify/monitor needs aiming to optimise care for individual patients
structure patient–HCP and interprofessional communication
support clinical decision-making (therapy/supportive care)
support patient self-management.
Identification and/or monitoring of clinically relevant issues to
After an implementation period of three years, 80% of all newly admitted patients routinely complete the electronically-assessed EORTC QLQ-C30 at the start of therapy to optimise early provision of supportive medical interventions.
The scope describes where/for whom PROs will be assessed (e.g. single ward/clinic, whole organisation). It should match your goals and resources.
Given the complexity of implementing new procedures, begin with a small, expandable pilot (for example, a single unit or clinic) rather than a large rollout. This focuses resources and avoids overextension, especially when the PRO assessment is new. Lessons from the pilot can guide wider implementation.
Example 1 – One clinic: Start with implementing electronic PRO assessment in a single clinic to establish the necessary IT infrastructure and integrate it into the clinical system. Once the system is successfully set-up and operational in one clinic, it can be more easily replicated in other clinics.
Example 2 – One patient group: For touchscreen-based electronic PRO assessment, start with patients already comfortable using digital devices. This lets you refine the technology and workflows for better usability before a wider rollout.
Real-world examples of goals and scopes are in chapter 11.
Antunes, Harding, Higginson, & EUROIMPACT, 2014; E. Basch et al., 2012; Ethan Basch, Rogak, & Dueck, 2016; Nordhausen et al., 2022; Skivington et al., 2021; Snyder et al., 2012; Wintner et al., 2016; ISOQOL, 2015
