Multi-level use of PROMs

Use of PROMs Data – a Multi-Level Approach  

We recommend thinking of three levels for the use of PROMs data within the health system:

1. Micro – Patient/clinician level: At this level, PROMs data can be used at the individual patient level. PROMs offer an opportunity for patients to provide input and perspective into their own care, and enhances communication with their healthcare providers. At the individual patient level, PROMs data can inform clinical practice, and enhance patient management. Data could be used to screen for certain health issues or symptoms, and assess and monitor patients’ health status over time. PROMs data could be used to support decision-making around patient care and management. 

2. Meso – Organization level: At this level, healthcare providers could aggregate PROMs data to identify certain outcomes or symptoms in a panel of patients or at a given clinic or treatment site, and identify gaps in care. PROMs data could also be used to assess and monitor health outcomes of a group of patients over time, to evaluate health programs within certain clinics or organizations, and to evaluate the impact of healthcare services. 

3. Macro – System level: At this level, PROMs data can be used to evaluate the performance of the healthcare system by incorporating a patient perspective, to compare outcomes across different jurisdictions or regions or over time. This high-level use of PROMs data could support health policy-makers in health care service allocation decisions that take into account patients’ perspective and priorities.