Patient-Reported Outcomes: Time to Integrate Into Outcomes Reporting?

Abstract

Historically, surgical outcomes research has focused on objective endpoints that are straightforward to measure and interpret using patient medical records, institutional databases, and national registries. In recent years, such data have been used to drive quality improvement, influence healthcare reform, and impact reimbursement of healthcare spending. In order to continue improving outcomes and deliver high-quality patient-centered care, it is imperative that clinicians review not only objective morbidity and mortality data, but also subjective data regarding patients' experience. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are starting to drive patterns of healthcare delivery and influence surgical decision-making. The current article reviews the historical background of PRO, tools for integrating it into surgical outcomes research, current data reported within the literature, and future implications within thoracic surgery.