Can Patient-Reported Outcomes Data Be Used to Improve Quality of Care?

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide health care providers insight into patient preferences, symptoms, experience, and quality of life but have traditionally been neglected. These data can be used to enhance care, compare across providers, and understand patient preferences regarding different treatment options. PROs may include symptoms, such as pain, or functional status, such as activities of daily living. They may be more multidimensional too, focusing on overall quality of life as well as satisfaction with providers and care. Therefore, as we move toward defining quality indicators and improving treatment as well as treatment decision making in colon and rectal disease, it is important to understand what quality care means to our patients. We will examine PROs and their methodological utility in improving care of patients with colorectal diseases. Incorporation of PROs into clinical practice is the next important step in enhancing health care quality in the management of this disease.