Integrating Patient-Reported Outcomes into Practice: Benefits, Challenges, and Recommendations for Action

Description:

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have been the subject of research for decades and are increasingly being used in clinical settings. Commonly defined as any report of the status of a patient’s health condition as reported directly by the patient, providers report that PROs have the potential to enhance patient engagement and shared decision-making when integrated into clinical care. However, difficulties exist for providers, the healthcare team, and patients. Integrating PRO into clinical encounters, workflows, and documentation within the patient’s electronic health record (EHR) remains challenging. Spreading (replicating interventions) and scaling (building infrastructure to support full-scale implementation) PROs provide additional complex challenges.

AHRQ hosted a presentation where an expert panel of speakers shared their research findings on how best to use PROs for patients with varying health conditions and how to scale and spread PRO use within health systems thereby overcoming the factors that hinder their usage. The webinar also explored recommendations for action to improve the integration of PROs in clinical practice, within EHRs and other health information technology, and in provider/patient communications.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the process of spreading and implementing patient-reported outcomes across rheumatology practices nationwide, shedding light on the practical aspects of this journey.
• Explain the benefits and challenges of using a mobile application to collect PRO data on medication adherence in pharmacies.
• Discuss patient preferences in how PRO measures are collected and used in orthopedic care and how they may be used to enhance shared decision making and improve outcomes.

Eligible providers can earn up to 1.5 CE/CME contact hours for participating in the live webinar.  
If you have questions, please contact DigitalHealthcareResearch@ahrq.hhs.gov.