Effect of early supported discharge after stroke on patient reported outcome based on the Swedish Riksstroke registry

Patients' experiences of very early supported discharge after stroke: safety, emotional support and feelings of control in everyday life

OBJECTIVE

Early supported discharge (ESD) aims to enable the transition of care from specialised stroke units to patients' homes. Even though ESD is well-researched, little is known about the experiences faced by persons with stroke in very early supported discharge (VESD). The aim of this study was to understand these experiences when participating in a VESD rehabilitation program.

METHODS

Qualitative individual and semi-structured interviews were held (at 3 months post-discharge) with stroke survivors discharged home at a very early stage and participating in a VESD programme. A thematic analysis process was applied.

RESULTS

Nine participants living in Sweden and following a mild or moderate stroke expressed their narratives through the following themes: "The importance of the VESD team intervention during the initial home rehabilitation"; "Everyday life was perceived as a struggle depending on close relatives"; "Experiencing problems with fatigue and low energy" and "Feeling angrier or more worried in everyday life".

CONCLUSIONS

Home-based VESD rehabilitation was important for increasing patients' sense of independence and control in daily life, while at the same time making them feel secure in the support from the rehabilitation team. Future research may investigate how VESD functions in other countries and healthcare systems.

Coming home in the context of very early supported discharge after stroke - An interview study of patients' experiences

OBJECTIVES

To explore patients' experiences of coming home and managing everyday life within the context of very early supported discharge after stroke (VESD).

STUDY DESIGN

An explorative qualitative study using semi structured interviews.

METHOD

This study was nested within a randomised controlled trial,; Gothenburg Very Early Supported Discharge (GOTVED), comparing a home rehabilitation intervention given by a coordinated team (VESD) with conventional care. Eleven participants with a median age 70.0 years (range 63-95) of which nine scoring 0-4 on the NIHSS indicating no symptoms or minor stroke were interviewed on average 12 days after discharge. Data was analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The diversity of patients' experiences was reflected in the overarching main theme Very Early Supported Discharge after stroke - a multifaceted experience, built upon five themes: "Conditions surrounding the discharge", "Concerns about the condition", "Confronting a new everyday life", "Experiences of the intervention" and the "Role of next of kin".

CONCLUSIONS

The respondents were largely satisfied with the very early supported discharge which might be expected, given that it was well planned regarding timing, individualisation and content. The patients need to be aware of the purpose of the VESD intervention. Due to the unpredictability of the stroke and its consequences, interventions need to be flexible. Goal setting is important but must be comprehensible. The role and burden of next of kin should be addressed and negotiated, and the ending of the intervention must be planned, with seamless transition to further rehabilitation and social support including the issue of participation in everyday life.

Identifying Existing Guidelines, Frameworks, Checklists, and Recommendations for Implementing Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: Protocol for a Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Implementing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to measure and evaluate health outcomes is increasing worldwide. Along with this emerging trend, it is important to identify which guidelines, frameworks, checklists, and recommendations exist, and if and how they have been used in implementing PROMs, especially in clinical quality registries (CQRs).

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to identify existing publications, as well as publications that discuss the application of actual guidelines, frameworks, checklists, and recommendations on PROMs' implementation for various purposes such as clinical trials, clinical practice, and CQRs. In addition, the identified publications will be used to guide the development of a new guideline for PROMs' implementation in CQRs, which is the aim of the broader project.

METHODS

A literature search of the databases MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials will be conducted since the inception of the databases, in addition to using Google Scholar and gray literature to identify literature for the scoping review. Predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used for all phases of screening. Existing publications of guidelines, frameworks, checklists, recommendations, and publications discussing the application of those methodologies for implementing PROMs in clinical trials, clinical practice, and CQRs will be included in the final review. Data relating to bibliographic information, aim, the purpose of PROMs use (clinical trial, practice, or registries), name of guideline, framework, checklist and recommendations, the rationale for development, and their purpose and implications will be extracted. Additionally, for publications of actual methodologies, aspects or domains of PROMs' implementation will be extracted. A narrative synthesis of included publications will be conducted.

RESULTS

The electronic database searches were completed in March 2024. Title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction will be completed in May 2024. The review is expected to be completed by the end of August 2024.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this scoping review will provide evidence on any existing methodologies and tools for PROMs' implementation in clinical trials, clinical practice, and CQRs. It is anticipated that the publications will help us guide the development of a new guideline for PROMs' implementation in CQRs.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42022366085; https://tinyurl.com/bdesk98x.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/52572.

A qualitative evidence synthesis exploring people after stroke, family members, carers and healthcare professionals' experiences of early supported discharge (ESD) after stroke

OBJECTIVE

Early supported discharge (ESD) after stroke has been shown to generate significant cost savings and reduce both hospital length of stay, and long-term dependency. This study aimed to systematically review and synthesise qualitative studies of the experiences and views of ESD from the perspective of people after stroke, their family members, carers and healthcare professionals.

METHOD

A systematic search of eleven databases; CINAHL, PubMed Central, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Sage, Academic Search Complete, Directory of Open Access Journal, The Cochrane Library, PsycARTICLES and SCOPUS, was conducted from 1995 to January 2022. Qualitative or mixed methods studies that included qualitative findings on the perspectives or experiences of people after stroke, family members, carers and healthcare professionals of an ESD service were included. The protocol was registered with the Prospero database (Registration: CRD42020135197). The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the 10-item CASP checklist for qualitative studies. Results were synthesised using Thomas and Harden's three step approach for thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included and five key themes were identified (1) ESD eases the transition home, but not to community services, (2) the home environment enhances rehabilitation, (3) organisational, and interprofessional factors are critical to the success of ESD, (4) ESD is experienced as a goal-focused and collaborative process, and (5) unmet needs persisted despite ESD.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this qualitative evidence synthesis highlight that experiences of ESD were largely very positive. The transition from ESD to community services was deemed to be problematic and other unmet needs such as information needs, and carer support require further investigation.

Spouses' need for information and satisfaction with the patient's care and rehabilitation after stroke. Importance of depression and prescheduled follow-up

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to study the information needs of the spouses of stroke survivors, and whether the functional ability, depressive mood, or demographic factors of the survivors or spouses associate with the information needs or satisfaction with care. We also investigated whether prescheduled follow-up improves information provision.

METHODS

Ninety-six spouses of consecutive stroke survivors completed a questionnaire on their information needs and satisfaction with care 21 months post-stroke. The results of samples before (n = 59) and after (n = 37) the implementation of the prescheduled follow-up were compared.

RESULTS

Before the follow-up, 75% of the spouses had received information on stroke and the well-being of the survivor, with 31% having received information on the survivors' and 18% on the spouses' own mood. The information provision improved after the follow-up: 86%, 44%, and 50%, respectively. The need for more information and satisfaction with care were associated with the spouse's depression, but not with functional impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

Even if information on stroke is satisfactorily provided, the mood and well-being of spouses is often neglected. Information provision and support can be improved with systematic prescheduled follow-up.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Our results suggest the routine assessment of the depressive symptoms and needs of spouses of stroke survivors.

Evaluating stroke early supported discharge using cost-consequence analysis

PURPOSE

To evaluate different stroke early supported discharge (ESD) services in different geographical settings using cost-consequence analysis (CCA), which presents information about costs and outcomes in the form of a balance sheet. ESD is a multidisciplinary service intervention that facilitates discharge from hospital and includes delivery of stroke specialist rehabilitation at home.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were collected from six purposively sampled services across the Midlands, East and North of England. All services, rural and urban, provided stroke rehabilitation to patients in their own homes. Cost data included direct and overhead costs of service provision and staff travel. Consequence data included service level adherence to an expert consensus regarding the specification of ESD service provision.

RESULTS

We observed that the most rural services had the highest service cost per patient. The main costs associated with running each ESD service were staff costs. In terms of the consequences, there was a positive association between service costs per patient and greater adherence to meeting the evidence-based ESD service specification agreed by an expert panel.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that rural services were associated with higher costs per patient, which in turn were associated with greater adherence to the expert consensus regarding ESD service specification. We suggest additional resources and costs are required in order for rural services to meet evidence-based criteria.Implications for rehabilitationThe main costs of an early supported discharge (ESD) service for stroke survivors were staff costs and these were positively associated with greater levels of rurality.Greater costs were associated with greater adherence to ESD core components, which has been previously found to enhance the effectiveness of ESD service provision.The cost-consequence analysis provides a descriptive summary for decision-makers about the costs of delivering ESD, suggesting additional resources and costs are required in order for rural services to meet evidence-based criteria.

Interventions within the Scope of Occupational Therapy in the Hospital Discharge Process Post-Stroke: A Systematic Review

Stroke is one of the main causes of disability in adulthood. Its rehabilitation is a complex process that requires a multidisciplinary team of specialised professionals. The main goal of this review was to determine the impact of occupational therapy intervention post-stroke on the home discharge process. A systematic search was carried out of the following databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Scopus, Otseeker, and Dialnet. A screening was performed taking into account the type of article, including exclusively RCT, and type of intervention, only including interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that take place during the process of hospital discharge post-stroke. A total of 2285 citations were identified in the search from which 13 articles met the inclusion criteria. Comparisons of the groups indicated that early occupational therapy intervention during the process of hospital discharge can be effective in terms of functional recovery and can lead to the caregiver seeing improvements in self-efficacy and fatigue. In addition, the inclusion of a caregiver in the intervention influences the patient's adherence to treatment, leading to a reduction in the cost of treatment and rehabilitation.

Living with the aftermaths of a stroke in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic; the significance of home and close surroundings

Stay-at-home recommendations to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus have had a major impact on people's everyday lives. However, while the evidence indicates that such recommendations have caused distress, anxiety, and fear among the public, little is known about how persons living with complex health conditions, e.g., disability after stroke, have experienced and handled the situation. We interviewed fourteen participants (7 women, 7 men) aged 61–91 years living in ordinary housing during summer 2020 to explore how people who recovered after a stroke experienced their everyday lives in their homes and close surroundings during the COVID-19 pandemic recommendations. Three intertwined themes were constructed from the narrative data and the iterative thematic analysis: (1) Places within and out of reach, (2) Upholding activities–strategies and structures, and (3) Adapting to new circumstances. The findings suggest that places within reach were important to maintain activities and provide structure in daily life. The participants seemed to make use of their previous experiences of adjusting to new circumstances after stroke when adapting to living under the stay-at-home recommendations. In addition, feeling that they now shared the restrictions with all other people in society seemed to ease their situations. Access to nature and spaces in the close surroundings was essential for staying socially connected and receiving support in daily life. The significance of the home and the neighbourhood for health experiences among people who recently have had a stroke should inform rehabilitation interventions both during and after pandemics and environmental planning.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2022 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population and an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, and the global burden of cardiovascular disease and healthy life expectancy.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Early Occupational Therapy Intervention in the Hospital Discharge after Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults which is a cerebrovascular disease of great impact in health and social terms, not only due to its prevalence and incidence but also because of its significant consequences in terms of patient dependence and its consequent impact on the patient and family lives. The general objective of this study is to determine whether an early occupational therapy intervention at hospital discharge after suffering a stroke has a positive effect on the functional independence of the patient three months after discharge—the patient’s level of independence being the main focus of this research. Data will be collected on readmissions to hospitals, mortality, returns to work and returns to driving, as well as an economic health analysis. This is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The sample size will be made up of 60 patients who suffered a stroke and were discharged from the neurology unit of a second-level hospital in west Malaga (Spain), who were then referred to the rehabilitation service by the joint decision of the neurology and rehabilitation department. The patients and caregivers assigned to the experimental group were included in an early occupational therapy intervention program and compared with a control group that receives usual care.

Large-scale implementation of stroke early supported discharge: the WISE realist mixed-methods study

Background

In England, the provision of early supported discharge is recommended as part of an evidence-based stroke care pathway.

Objectives

To investigate the effectiveness of early supported discharge services when implemented at scale in practice and to understand how the context within which these services operate influences their implementation and effectiveness.

Design

A mixed-methods study using a realist evaluation approach and two interlinking work packages was undertaken. Three programme theories were tested to investigate the adoption of evidence-based core components, differences in urban and rural settings, and communication processes.

Setting and interventions

Early supported discharge services across a large geographical area of England, covering the West and East Midlands, the East of England and the North of England.

Participants

Work package 1: historical prospective patient data from the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme collected by early supported discharge and hospital teams. Work package 2: NHS staff (n = 117) and patients (n = 30) from six purposely selected early supported discharge services.

Data and main outcome

Work package 1: a 17-item early supported discharge consensus score measured the adherence to evidence-based core components defined in an international consensus document. The effectiveness of early supported discharge was measured with process and patient outcomes and costs. Work package 2: semistructured interviews and focus groups with NHS staff and patients were undertaken to investigate the contextual determinants of early supported discharge effectiveness.

Results

A variety of early supported discharge service models had been adopted, as reflected by the variability in the early supported discharge consensus score. A one-unit increase in early supported discharge consensus score was significantly associated with a more responsive early supported discharge service and increased treatment intensity. There was no association with stroke survivor outcome. Patients who received early supported discharge in their stroke care pathway spent, on average, 1 day longer in hospital than those who did not receive early supported discharge. The most rural services had the highest service costs per patient. NHS staff identified core evidence-based components (e.g. eligibility criteria, co-ordinated multidisciplinary team and regular weekly multidisciplinary team meetings) as central to the effectiveness of early supported discharge. Mechanisms thought to streamline discharge and help teams to meet their responsiveness targets included having access to a social worker and the quality of communications and transitions across services. The role of rehabilitation assistants and an interdisciplinary approach were facilitators of delivering an intensive service. The rurality of early supported discharge services, especially when coupled with capacity issues and increased travel times to visit patients, could influence the intensity of rehabilitation provision and teams’ flexibility to adjust to patients’ needs. This required organising multidisciplinary teams and meetings around the local geography. Findings also highlighted the importance of good leadership and communication. Early supported discharge staff highlighted the need for collaborative and trusting relationships with patients and carers and stroke unit staff, as well as across the wider stroke care pathway.

Limitations

Work package 1: possible influence of unobserved variables and we were unable to determine the effect of early supported discharge on patient outcomes. Work package 2: the pragmatic approach led to ‘theoretical nuggets’ rather than an overarching higher-level theory.

Conclusions

The realist evaluation methodology allowed us to address the complexity of early supported discharge delivery in real-world settings. The findings highlighted the importance of context and contextual features and mechanisms that need to be either addressed or capitalised on to improve effectiveness.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN15568163.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 22. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Profiles of patients' self-reported health after acute stroke

BACKGROUND

We aimed to identify groups of patients with similar health status after stroke, assessed by patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), to improve initial risk stratification.

METHODS

In a prospective study, inpatients were recruited during acute stroke treatment. Demographics, history, and cardio-vascular risk factors were assessed at baseline. Self-reported functional status, physical and mental health as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed 3 and 12 months after stroke and used to identify latent classes. The association of patient characteristics with latent class membership was investigated with multinomial logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 650 patients included with a mean age of 75 years and 48% female, 70% had ischemic, 6% hemorrhagic strokes, and 24% transient ischemic attacks. Median NIHSS on admission was 2 (IQR:0,5). Values of PROMs remained comparable at 3 and 12 months. A three-class model was developed, differentiating between patients with mildly (75%), moderately (17%), and severely (8%) impaired self-reported health status. Adjusted for univariately significant baseline characteristics, initial NIHSS distinguished mild- from moderate-, and moderate- from severe-class-membership (p < 0.001). Length of inpatient stay (p < 0.001;OR = 1.1), diabetes (p = 0.021;OR = 1.91), and atrial fibrillation (p = 0.004;OR = 2.20) predicted allocation to the moderately vs. mildly affected class.

CONCLUSIONS

Grading stroke patients by a standard set of PROMs up to 1 year after stroke allows to distinguish the diverse impact of baseline characteristics on differently affected groups. In addition to initial stroke severity, longer inpatient stay, presence of diabetes and atrial fibrillation correlate with greater impairment of self-reported health in the less affected groups.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03795948 .

Factors associated with met and unmet rehabilitation needs after stroke: A multicentre cohort study in Denmark and Norway

OBJECTIVES

To examine patient-reported needs for care and rehabilitation in a cohort following different subacute pathways of rehabilitation, and to explore factors underpinning met and unmet needs.

DESIGN

Observational multicentre cohort study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 318 Norwegian and 155 Danish patients with first-ever stroke were included. Participants answered questions from the Norwegian Stroke Registry about perceived met, unmet or lack of need for help and training during the first 3 months post stroke. The term "training" in this context was used for all rehabilitative therapy offered by physiotherapists, occupational or speech therapists. The term "help" was used for care provided by health professionals.

RESULTS

Need for training: 15% reported unmet need, 52% reported met need, and 33% reported no need. Need for help: 10% reported unmet need, 58% reported met, and 31% reported no need. Participants from both Norway and Denmark had similar patterns of unmet/met need for help or training. Unmet need for training was associated with lower functioning, (odds ratio (OR) = 0.32, p < 0.05) and more anxiety (OR = 0.36, p < 0.05). Patients reporting unmet needs for help more often lived alone (OR = 0.40, p < 0.05) and were more often depressed (OR = 0.31, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Similar levels of met and unmet needs for training and help at 3 months after stroke were reported despite differences in the organization of the rehabilitation services. Functioning and psychological factors were associated with unmet rehabilitation needs.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2021 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2021 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, the global burden of cardiovascular disease, and further evidence-based approaches to changing behaviors related to cardiovascular disease.

RESULTS

Each of the 27 chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policy makers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Effect of stroke early supported discharge on length of hospital stay: analysis from a national stroke registry

OBJECTIVE

The first observational study to investigate the impact of early supported discharge (ESD) on length of hospital stay in real-world conditions.

DESIGN

Using historical prospective Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) data (1 January 2013-31 December 2016) and multilevel modelling, cross-sectional (2015-2016; 30 791 patients nested within 55 hospitals) and repeated cross-sectional (2013-2014 vs 2015-2016; 49 266 patients nested within 41 hospitals) analyses were undertaken.

SETTING

Hospitals were sampled across a large geographical area of England covering the West and East Midlands, the East of England and the North of England.

PARTICIPANTS

Stroke patients whose data were entered into the SSNAP database by hospital teams.

INTERVENTIONS

Receiving ESD along the patient care pathway.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

When adjusted for important case-mix variables, patients who received ESD on their stroke care pathway spent longer in hospital, compared with those who did not receive ESD. The percentage increase was 15.8% (95% CI 12.3% to 19.4%) for the 2015-2016 cross-sectional analysis and 18.8% (95% CI 13.9% to 24.0%) for the 2013-2014 versus 2015-2016 repeated cross-sectional analysis. On average, the increased length of hospital stay was approximately 1 day.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has shown that by comparing ESD and non-ESD patient groups matched for important patient characteristics, receiving ESD resulted in a 1-day increase in length of hospital stay. The large reduction in length of hospital stay overall, since original trials were conducted, may explain why a reduction was not observed. The longer term benefits of accessing ESD need to be investigated further.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15568163.

Clinical outcomes for moderate and severe stroke survivors receiving early supported discharge: A quasi-experimental cohort study

Introduction

The aim of this study was to compare outcomes for functional independence, activities of daily living participation and balance achieved by moderate and severe stroke survivors receiving an early supported discharge model of care with those receiving standard treatment.

Method

A quasi-experimental cohort method was utilised, with a control group of convenience. Forty-one patients ( n = 28 early supported discharge group, n = 13 control group) who were medically stable post stroke, safe for discharge home, able to be treated in the home environment and requiring intensive rehabilitation from at least two disciplines participated.

Results

There was no significant difference in outcomes between early supported discharge and control groups for functional independence, activities of daily living participation or balance from baseline to 4 weeks, or 4 weeks to 8 weeks. However, patients receiving early supported discharge made further improvements across the study period, while those receiving standard care made limited improvement between 4 weeks and 8 weeks. All minimal clinically important differences on outcome measures were identified between baseline and 4 weeks.

Conclusions

Moderate and severe stroke survivors can achieve comparable outcomes when receiving early supported discharge or standard treatment. Early supported discharge models of care may also enhance ongoing improvement during the early phases of stroke recovery.

Developing a Preliminary Conceptual Framework for Guidelines on Inclusion of Patient Reported-Outcome Measures (PROMs) in Clinical Quality Registries

Purpose

Patient-centred and value-based health-care organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of the patient perspective in the measurement and evaluation of health outcomes. This has been primarily implemented using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Clinical quality registries (CQRs) are specifically designed to improve direct clinical care, benchmark health-care provision and inform health service planning and policy. Despite CQRs having incorporated the patient perspective to support the evaluation of health-care provision, no evidence-based guidelines for inclusion of PROMs in CQRs exist. This has led to substantial heterogeneity in capturing and reporting PROMs within this setting. This publication is the first in a series describing the development of evidence-informed guidelines for PROMs inclusion within CQRs in Australia.

Methods

This study consisted of three components: 1) a literature review of existing evidence of guidelines, enablers, barriers, and lessons learnt of PROMs use within the CQRs setting; 2) a survey of Australian CQRs to determine current practices for PROMs use and reporting; and 3) development of a preliminary conceptual framework for PROMs inclusion in CQRs.

Results

Content analysis of the literature review and survey of 66 Australian registries elicited eight categories for the conceptual framework. The framework covers eight components: rationale, setting, ethics, selection of PROMs, administration, data management, statistical methods, feedback, and reporting.

Conclusion

We developed a preliminary conceptual framework, which classified findings, from both the literature and the survey, into broad categories ranging from initial development to outcome dissemination providing the structure for development of guidelines in the next phase of this project, engaging national and international leaders in health-related quality of life research, clinicians, researchers, patient advocates and consumers.