PROs add the patient’s perspective to clinical assessments and support patient-centred care.
However, collecting PRO data alone is not sufficient: without follow-up action, it cannot have any effect. This may demotivate patients and is ethically problematic given the burden of completion.
PRO data can inform practice in three ways.
HCP-initiated actions based on PROs (after discussing data with the patient), e.g. additional diagnostics, supportive care, or referrals to other services.
Discussing PRO data with patients is the basis for any further PRO-driven steps and a clinical action in its own right.
