The use of patient‐reported outcome measures by healthcare professionals in specialized asthma management centers in French‐speaking Belgium: A mixed‐methods study

Abstract

Introduction Recently, the literature has promoted the use of patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) in clinical practice as a means to foster patient engagement. However, conditions necessary to support the use of PROMs to encourage asthma patient engagement are not clearly defined. Therefore, we sought (1) to explore the current and ideal use of PROMs by healthcare professionals (HP) in specialized asthma management centers in French‐speaking Belgium and (2) to understand under which conditions the use of PROMs contributes to patient engagement. Methods We undertook a mixed‐methods study with both anonymous online survey and in‐person qualitative semi‐structured interviews conducted with HPs to understand their perspectives on the routine use of PROMs. HPs were recruited from 16 asthma centers (French‐speaking Belgium) identified via the Belgian Respiratory Society. Results Of the 170 HPs identified from the 16 participating centers, 51 (30%) responded to the survey ( n = 51) and 11 completed semi‐structured interviews. 53% (27/51) of the surveyed HPs reported using PROMs primarily for asthma monitoring and clinical research while all reported that PROMs should primarily be used in practice to facilitate communication with the patient and to address neglected aspects of the care relationship such as the psychosocial aspects of the disease. The qualitative interviews revealed avenues for moving from a medical‐centered and utilitarian use of PROMs to a use serving patient engagement. This would require HPs to go beyond their current representation of PROMs, to use instruments offering a more holistic image of the patient, to incorporate PROMs into a digital tool and to integrate PROMs in a patient education process. Conclusion The main findings of this study suggest relevant avenues for using PROMs in ways that support patient engagement.

Implementing paediatric patient-reported outcome measures in outpatient asthma clinics: a feasibility assessment study

“…Overall, higher levels of agreement among patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers on why they completed the PROMs underline the importance of educating these three groups about patient-reported measures like PROM. Some recent studies have shown that using PROMs have the potential to transform current model of clinically focused and utilitarian model of patient care 6 17. Similarly, higher levels of agreement on the helpfulness of the user guides show that health systems need to create resources like user guides for patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers.…”

“…Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly being used to provide patient- and family-centred care 1 2. The use of PROMs in routine clinical care has shown to enhance communication between patients, family caregivers and healthcare providers, facilitating patient engagement and discussion on patient- and family-identified concerns, resulting in shared-decision making and attaining better health outcomes for patients 3–6. Despite the growing use of PROMs in the adult population, their implementation in routine paediatric clinical care is still limited 7 8…”

Task-shifting in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management: A review of the obstructive lung disease program

“…PROMs have been introduced as tools to standardize patient outcomes by supporting and directing individualized management plans. 17 , 18 We successfully incorporated these into the OLD program, along with inhaler use education, referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation and tobacco cessation. Various studies demonstrate the advantages of this.…”