Abstract
BackgroundThe use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to provide healthcare professionals with peer benchmarked feedback is growing. However, there is little evidence on the opinions of professionals on the value of this information in practice. The purpose of this research is to explore surgeon’s experiences of receiving peer benchmarked PROMs feedback and to examine whether this information led to changes in their practice.MethodsThis qualitative research employed a Framework approach. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with surgeons who received peer benchmarked PROMs feedback. The participants included eleven consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the Republic of Ireland.ResultsFive themes were identified: conceptual, methodological, practical, attitudinal, and impact. A typology was developed based on the attitudinal and impact themes from which three distinct groups emerged. ‘Advocates’ had positive attitudes towards PROMs and confirmed that the information promoted a self-reflective process. ‘Converts’ were uncertain about the value of PROMs, which reduced their inclination to use the data. ‘Sceptics’ had negative attitudes towards PROMs and claimed that the information had no impact on their behaviour. The conceptual, methodological and practical factors were linked to the typology.ConclusionSurgeons had mixed opinions on the value of peer benchmarked PROMs data. Many appreciated the feedback as it reassured them that their practice was similar to their peers. However, PROMs information alone was considered insufficient to help identify opportunities for quality improvements. The reasons for the observed reluctance of participants to embrace PROMs can be categorised into conceptual, methodological, and practical factors. Policy makers and researchers need to increase professionals’ awareness of the numerous purposes and benefits of using PROMs, challenge the current methods to measure performance using PROMs, and reduce the burden of data collection and information dissemination on routine practice.
Highlights
The use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to provide healthcare professionals with peer benchmarked feedback is growing
The National Health Service (NHS) in England introduced the PROMs Programme in 2009 that mandated the collection of PROMs for patients undergoing four common elective procedures
Design overview This paper reports on a qualitative research study that was nested within a larger randomised controlled trial of PROMs feedback
Summary
The use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to provide healthcare professionals with peer benchmarked feedback is growing. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are questionnaires that assess patients’ views about their health [1,2] They have traditionally been used to assess the burden of disease and to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of different treatments [2]. They have been used to give feedback to healthcare professionals in PROMs feedback can be based on data about individual patients or groups of patients defined at the level of the healthcare provider. Patient data are aggregated to the level of the provider to compare performance and the results are publically reported online at NHS Trust level [2,8,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
