A narrative review of current evidence supporting the implementation of electronic patient-reported outcome measures in the management of chronic diseases.

Olalekan Lee Aiyegbusi,John Devin Peipert,Devika Nair,Istvan Mucsi,Kara Schick-Makaroff

doi:10.1177/20406223211015958

Abstract

An application of telemedicine of growing interest and relevance is the use of personal computers and mobile devices to collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs). PROs are self-reports of patients’ health status without interpretation by anyone else. The tools developed to assess PROs are known as patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs). The technological innovations that have led to an increased ownership of electronic devices have also facilitated the development of electronic PROMs (ePROMs). ePROMs are a conduit for telemedicine in the care of patients with chronic diseases. Various studies have demonstrated that the use of ePROMs in routine clinical practice is both acceptable and feasible with patients increasingly expressing a preference for an electronic mode of administration. There is increasing evidence that the use of electronic patient-reported outcome (ePROMs) could have significant impacts on outcomes valued by patients, healthcare providers and researchers. Whilst the development and implementation of these systems may be initially costly and resource-intensive, patient preferences and existing evidence to support their implementation suggests the need for continued research prioritisation in this area. This narrative review summarises and discusses evidence of the impact of ePROMs on clinical parameters and outcomes relevant to chronic diseases. We also explore recently published literature regarding issues that may influence the robust implementation of ePROMs for routine clinical practice.

Highlights

Telemedicine refers to the use of electronic information and communications technology to provide and support healthcare remotely.[1,2] An application of telemedicine of growing interest and relevance is the use of personal computers and mobile devices to collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs).[3]
Most of the articles reporting the impact of electronic PROMs (ePROMs) on clinical parameters and outcomes in chronic conditions were derived from oncology
Challenges with the use of ePROMs While the studies included in this review demonstrate potential benefits of using ePROMs in patient care, there are a number of challenges that need to be adequately addressed to ensure seamless implementation and integration of ePROMs into a health system.[51]

Summary

Introduction

Telemedicine refers to the use of electronic information and communications technology to provide and support healthcare remotely.[1,2] An application of telemedicine of growing interest and relevance is the use of personal computers and mobile devices to collect patient-reported outcomes (PROs).[3] PROs are self-reports of patients’ health status without interpretation by anyone else.[4] The tools developed to assess PROs are known as patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs). The technological innovations that led to an increased ownership of electronic devices have facilitated the development of electronic PROMs (ePROMs).[5] PROMs are traditionally paper-based while the term ‘ePROMs’ refers to telephone-based interactive voice response systems and screen-based systems.[6] ePROMs may be administered at clinic, with or without clinical supervision, or remotely

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