ASCO PRO workgroup update: Patient-reported outcome measures as a quality indicator.

Abstract

276 Background: Although patient questionnaires are commonly used to assess healthcare experiences (e.g., satisfaction with care), patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures assessing symptoms and physical functioning have not conventionally been used for quality assessment. More typically, quality of care is measured with administrative data, such as hospital readmission rates. There is an opportunity to advance the science of quality measurement by integrating a patient-centered approach. Methods: ASCO established a multi-stakeholder PRO Workgroup (including extensive patient input) to develop and test PRO-based performance measures (PRO-PMs). The ASCO PRO Workgroup outlined three initial PRO-PMs to test for patients receiving moderately/highly emetogenic chemotherapy: 1) process: proportion self-reporting symptoms at, or within 2 weeks, of last visit; 2) outcome: proportion experiencing moderate/high levels of nausea; and 3) outcome: proportion reporting moderate/high pain. We will give an update on progress of the ASCO PRO Workgroup and outline next steps needed to implement PRO measures as a quality metric. Results: Three key methodological advancements are needed before PRO measures can be used as a quality metric. First, areas of cancer care delivery need to be identified that are important to patients when considering quality of care and are amenable to performance evaluation with PRO measures (e.g., symptom control). Second, existing PRO questionnaires need to be systematically identified and evaluated for potential quality use. The review should evaluate psychometric properties, validity and reliability, and feasibility for clinical use. Third, testing is needed in representative practice settings to iteratively refine: 1) logistical strategy for systematically collecting this information at the practice level; 2) approaches for minimizing missing data, particularly from underserved populations; and 3) adjustments for patient characteristics (case-mix). Conclusions: Methodological advancements are necessary before PRO measures can be implemented as a quality metric. PRO measures have the potential to provide quality assessments that are useful to patients making health care decisions.