12 - Patient-reported outcomes in plastic surgery

Abstract

This chapter aims to provide a better understanding of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and how they can be used to improve clinical outcomes in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Satisfaction and health-related quality of life are among the most important outcomes for patients undergoing plastic and reconstructive surgery. Modern patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are instruments that have been developed using innovative psychometric methods. Such methods implement robust scientific approaches in the form of Item Response Theory (IRT) and Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT). The measurement properties (validity, reliability, responsiveness) of these PROMs need to be rigorously tested. Advances in instrument development have resulted in the availability of PROMs that can be used to evaluate the benefits of a treatment or a newly developed surgical technique, both for clinical follow-up and for research purposes, providing clinically meaningful data. This chapter guides the reader through elements to consider when selecting a PROM, the methodology involved in PROM development, and anticipated future directions for the uptake of PROMs in plastic and reconstructive surgery.