Hand therapist use of patient report outcome (PRO) in practice: A survey study

PurposeThe purpose of this survey was to gain greater insight into hand therapists' use of Patient Report Outcome (PRO) measures.MethodsAn 11-question survey that evaluated therapists' perceptions, preferences, and patterns of use of patient report outcome measures was sent to members of ASHT.ResultsA total of 633 ASHT members participated in the survey study. A large majority of participants (92%) responded affirmatively to using a PRO measure in practice. The DASH was reported as the most frequently used measure (90%). The majority of therapists (84%) discuss the results of the outcome measurement score with their patients. Of the participants who use more than one outcome measure, 44% report that this allows them to better establish their patient's functional and physical limitations.ConclusionThe findings in this study suggest that a large percentage of hand therapists are currently including a PRO measure in their hand therapy practice.