Introduction to PROs
Patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as health-related quality of life (HRQOL), symptoms or health status, are reported directly by the patient and provide a systematic way of measuring patients’ views about the impact of disease and treatment on their health and well-being.
Why are PROs important?
PRO data is important in providing the patient's perspective on their own health; this information is valued by patients, healthcare professionals and researchers. PROs have huge potential for use within healthcare.
At an individual level they may inform patient choice regarding treatment; facilitate cooperation between healthcare teams to provide tailored individual care; and identify those most in need of intervention.
At a macro-level PRO data may be used: for audit and quality assurance, to provide long term safety and effectiveness data for treatments, in pay-for-performance initiatives, in prognostic modeling and to inform health-policy.
![A circular infographic titled 'Why are PROs important'. [Image description: 'Why are PROs important?': 1. Patient-centred care; 2. Shared-decision making; 3. Clinical guidelines; 4. Health policy; 5. Service delivery. 'Making Patient-Centred Care a Reality'.]](/media-library/why-are-pros-important-single-image-edition.x097cf911.jpg?q=80&f=webp&w=1440)