Using patient-reported outcomes in clinical oncology practice: benefits, challenges and next steps

Measuring patient outcomes such as health-related quality-of-life in clinical practice can provide opportunities for patient monitoring and management. Well-validated instruments are available and studies have shown that such information is acceptable to – even valued by – patients and their clinicians. However, despite such general acceptance of the idea and, as demonstrated in feasibility studies, such systematic reporting occurs rarely in oncology practice in the USA and many challenges to widespread adoption exist. These challenges include limitations in knowledge about how best to interpret individual patient-reported outcomes and clinician, patient-related and health system issues. The way forward does not lie simply in urging clinicians to add patient-reported measurement to other tasks that are part of everyday practice. Rather, new information infrastructures and technologies, combined with redesign of care, are more likely to embed the routine use of patient-reported outcomes. In addition to taking vital signs and performing laboratory tests, such information can better provide a timely response to patient needs.