Applied Health Psychology

'Patient reported outcomes' (PROs) is a relatively new term used to describe a range of outcomes obtained directly from the patients' perspective.

PRO measures are used increasingly in the pharmaceutical industry and NHS to assess the effectiveness of new treatments, services or interventions. Assessing PROs is particularly important when two treatments or interventions are equivalent (in terms of biomedical effects) but may have different effects on patient satisfaction or quality of life.

PROs can also be used to inform the design of new treatments, services or interventions. Equipped with the results of studies in which the patient's perspective has been assessed, clinicians will be better able to understand how medical conditions and their treatments affect outcomes that are important to patients. Resources can then be directed towards treatments and services that would be most valued by patients.

Measuring PROs enables us to identify the treatments or services that patients are most likely to engage with and, ultimately, how we can make real health improvements.

Several types of PRO measure exist, including:

Each is designed to elicit particular information about the patients' experience.

PRO measures can be generic (enabling assessment and comparison across various conditions) or condition-specific. The latter are generally more sensitive to differences between treatments for the same condition.

To ensure that PRO assessments are useful, we need to use measures that are valid and reliable.

AHP Research offers expertise in the choice, design, validation, reliability assessment and use of PRO measures. We will advise you on the most appropriate measures for your project needs.

Contact us to find out more about how our expertise can benefit your project.