Measuring patient voice matters: setting the scene for patient-reported indicators

• Published in: International journal for quality in health care Vol. 34; no. Supplement_1; pp. ii3 - ii6
• Main Authors: de Bienassis, Katherine, Kristensen, Solvejg, Hewlett, Emily, Roe, David, Mainz, Jan, Klazinga, Niek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: UK Oxford University Press 20-02-2021
• Subjects: Australia; Humans; Israel; Netherlands; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Sweden; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Netherlands; Sweden; Israel; Australia; quality measurement; quality management; health policy; appropriate health care; mental health disorders; disease categories; guidelines; patient-centred care; patient-reported indicators; health care system
• ISSN: 1353-4505; 1464-3677
• DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzab002

Abstract
Background
Achieving people-centred health care systems requires new and innovative strategies to capture information about whether, and to what degree, health care is successful in improving health from the perspective of the patient. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) can bring some of these new insights, and are increasingly used in research, clinical care, and policymaking.
Methods
This paper reflects the ongoing discussions and findings of the OECD PaRIS Working Group on Patient-reported Indicators for Mental Health Care.
Results
The OECD has been measuring quality of care for mental health conditions over the last 14 years through the Health Care Quality and Outcomes (HCQO) program; nonetheless, information on how persons with mental health problems value the services they receive, and impact of the services, remains limited. As of 2018, a survey from the OECD showed that only five of the twelve countries surveyed (Australia, Israel, Netherlands, Sweden, United Kingdom) reported PROMs and PREMs collection on a regular basis in mental health settings. The paper details some of the challenges specific to the collection and use of PROMs and PREMs in mental health care, and examples from countries which have implemented comprehensive programmes to gather information about PROMs and PREMs for individuals receiving mental health services.
Conclusions
Given the health and economic impact of mental ill-health across all OECD countries, there is significant value to being able to assess the quality and outcomes of care in this area using internationally-comparable measures. Continued international harmonisation of PROMs and PREMs for mental health through international coordination is a key way to facilitate the sharing of national experiences, promote the use of PROMs and PREMs, and create meaningful indicators for national and international benchmarking.