PROMs (Patient Reported Outcome Measures)
In order to know if a process brings benefits and continues to improve
it we need to measure the outcome. We cannot rely on process
alone as evidence shows that there is widespread variation and
inconsistency in process in clinical practice. Patient reported
outcome measures (PROMs), unlike most of the other clinical
measures used traditionally (re-admissions, infection rates, adverse
incidents, etc), usually measure health gain—what actually happens
to most patients who interface with the healthcare system. PROMs
go beyond simply asking “Are you satisfied?” Using detailed
questionnaires they elicit patients’ assessments of aspects of their
health-related quality of life – how mobile they are, their mental state,
their overall health etc.