Understanding patient reported outcome measures (PROMs)

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been identified as being measures of a patient's health status or health-related quality of life, allowing for health status information to be collected from patients before and after an intervention through completion of a questionnaire. The information collected will provide an indication of the outcomes or quality of care delivered to NHS Patients. The collection of data commenced in April 2009 for specific conditions; NHS-funded unilateral hip replacements, unilateral knee replacements, groin hernia surgery or varicose vein surgery. PROMs will be developed for further conditions in the future, however, at present there are none relating to tissue viability or leg ulceration.