Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) are powerful tools that allow people to share how they feel and function in their daily lives. These reports come straight from the patient—not filtered through doctors or caregivers—and provide valuable information about symptoms, side effects, and overall health. They give a complete picture of what’s working and what’s not in someone’s care.
Why Are Patient Reported Outcomes So Important?
Patient Reported Outcomes matter because they put the patient at the center of their own health story, fostering patient empowerment and personalized healthcare. They help answer questions like:
- Is a medication really helping reduce symptoms?
- Are side effects manageable?
- How is the person’s quality of life improving after a surgery or treatment?
For healthcare providers, PROs offer a deeper understanding of how patients are responding to their care plans. This data can lead to better treatment decisions and improve communication between patients and providers. Studies have shown that integrating PROs can enhance care outcomes and promote value-based care.
Supporting Evidence for Patient Reported Outcomes
- A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that using PROs to monitor symptoms during cancer treatment improved survival rates. Patients who reported their symptoms in real-time received faster interventions, improving their quality of life and outcomes.
- The FDA and NIH have recognized the importance of PROs in clinical trials and post-market studies, emphasizing their role in understanding how treatments work in real-world settings.
- A 2020 review in Health Affairs highlighted how PROs contribute to value-based care by aligning treatments with patients’ actual experiences and needs.
Examples of Patient Reported Outcomes
Examples of Patient Reported Outcomes include:
- Pain levels or symptom severity
- Emotional well-being
- Physical activity or mobility
- Sleep quality
- Fatigue or energy levels
These measures provide a clearer picture of a patient’s health beyond lab results or imaging studies.
How Patient Reported Outcomes Change Lives: Vanessa’s Story
Let’s take a closer look at how PROs make a difference. Vanessa is a 52-year-old teacher managing arthritis and hypertension. Her doctor prescribed a new medication, but Vanessa was unsure if it was working. She often felt fatigued and had difficulty climbing stairs, but she hesitated to bring it up during her rushed clinic visits. Additionally, Vanessa found it mentally exhausting to remember important details about her symptoms and daily struggles during these visits.
When Vanessa started using The Owl App, everything changed. The app prompted her to record her pain levels, energy, and daily activities in real time. This relieved her mental fatigue, as she no longer had to rely on memory to share critical information with her doctor. After a month, her Consumer Health Record (CHR) revealed a pattern: while her blood pressure had improved, her fatigue and joint pain worsened.
Vanessa shared this data with her doctor, who adjusted her medication and referred her to a physical therapist. Within weeks, Vanessa’s energy returned, and she felt empowered to actively participate in her care. Her doctor also gained valuable insights into how the treatment was affecting her overall health.
How The Owl App and CHR Drive Value-Based Care
By capturing Patient Reported Outcomes through The Owl App, patients like Vanessa contribute to a Consumer Health Record (CHR) that tells their full health story. This not only improves individual care but also supports value-based healthcare systems, where the focus is on outcomes rather than volume of services.
- Personalized Care Plans: Patient Reported Outcomes help tailor care to each patient’s needs.
- Improved Outcomes: Real-time data sharing ensures timely interventions.
- Enhanced Communication: Patients and providers can make better decisions together.
Why Choose Patient Reported Outcomes with knowRX?
KnowRX understands that every patient’s story matters. By integrating PROs into the CHR, knowRX helps patients and providers work as a team. This approach aligns with leading healthcare initiatives, such as those from the NIH and CMS, which encourage patient-centered care and value-based models.
Join the Movement
Empowering patients with tools like The Owl App is the future of healthcare. Download The Owl App today to engage in your health journey and learn about patient empowerment and personalized care. By capturing PROs, we can create a world where every individual’s health journey is respected and optimized. Ready to take control of your health? Start your journey with The Owl App today and see the difference a CHR can make. Learn more.
