The implementation of the 2017 national policy on patient-reported outcomes in Denmark: An overview of developments after six years

Abstract

Driven by the potential values of using more patient-centred approaches in health care, the Danish government, regions and municipalities have agreed to introduce a standardised use of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in all healthcare sectors in Denmark. Expecting benefits in particular at the individual patient level, the work to implement the national PRO policy is carried out under the auspices of the Ministry of Health. This highly systematic and comprehensive work elevates the development of PRO to a national level and centres around three main elements: development and feasibility tests of standardised PRO instruments within specific clinical areas, the development and implementation of a PRO instrument repository and a national IT infrastructure for the sharing of data across healthcare sectors. The paper describes these elements together with reports on the current state of implementation after six years of activities. PRO instruments have been developed and tested within eight clinical areas and – as intended – they show promising value for patients as well as healthcare professionals with respect to individual patient care. It has taken time for the supporting IT infrastructure to become fully operational in practice and, likewise, the strengthening of the implementation in and across healthcare sectors has required – and continues to require – considerable efforts from all stakeholders.