Routine Implementation of Patient-Reported Outcomes Assessment Into Thoracic Surgery Practice

Abstract

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) assessment is a necessary component of surgical outcome assessment and patient care. This study examined the success of routine PROs assessment in an academic-based thoracic surgery practice.

Methods: PROs, measuring pain intensity, physical function, and dyspnea, were routinely obtained using the National Institutes of Health-sponsored Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) on all thoracic surgery patients beginning in April 2018 through January 2021. Questionnaires were administered electronically through a web-based platform at home or during the office visit. Completion rates and barriers were measured.

Results: A total of 9725 thoracic surgery office visits occurred during this time frame. PROs data were obtained in 6899 visits from a total of 3551 patients. The mean number of questions answered per survey was 22.4 ± 2.2. Overall questionnaire completion rate was 65.7%. A significant decline in survey completion was noted in April 2020, after which adjustments were made to allow for questionnaire completion through a mobile health platform. Overall monthly questionnaire completion rates ranged from 20% (April 2020) to 90% (October 2018). Mean T scores were dyspnea, 41.6 ± 12.3; physical function, 42.7 ± 10.5; and pain intensity, 52.8 ± 10.3.

Conclusions: PROs can be assessed effectively in a thoracic surgery clinic setting, with minimal disruption of clinical activities. Future efforts should focus on facilitating PROs collection from disadvantaged patient populations and scaling implementation across programs.