© Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 371
Y. El Miedany (ed.), Patient Reported Outcome Measures in Rheumatic Diseases,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-32851-5_15
Chapter 15
Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome
Measures (ePROMs) in Rheumatology
Jutta Richter , Christina Kampling , and Matthias Schneider
Introduction
In rheumatology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis rely on standardized
physician and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) [ 1 ]. Generic and
disease- related, uni- and multidimensional indices respectively PROMs infl uence
individual treatment plans and determine follow-up intervals [ 2 ]. Translations of
known PROMs in different languages and new PROMs are still under development,
and evaluations of the latter might address yet unmet needs, be faster to complete,
or easier to administer [ 3 ].
With the recognition of patients’ perspectives as key outcome measures and
indispensable prerequisites for improving the quality of care, inclusion of PROMs
in the process of healthcare came to the fore [ 4 , 5 ]. In addition to traditionally
accepted treatment infl uencing factors, psychosocial and occupational conditions,
individual fatigue and stress levels, as well as other patient-centered parameters that
might be addressed by PROMs gained more attention [ 6 , 7 ].
For clinical purposes, PROMs may support the assessment of clinical and related
problems as well as the effects of treatment [ 8 , 9 ]. They facilitate the immediate
patient–physician communication, promote the model of shared decision making,
improve patient satisfaction and knowledge, and contribute to the monitoring of
quality of care [ 8 , 9 ]. PROMs proved to be benefi cial not only for clinical decision
J. Richter , M.D. (*) • M. Schneider , M.D.
Policlinic for Rheumatology and Hiller Research Centre for Rheumatology , University Clinic
Duesseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , Moorenstr. 5 ,
Duesseldorf , Germany
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
C. Kampling , M.D.
Policlinic for Rheumatology and Hiller Research Centre for Rheumatology , University Clinic
Duesseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf , Duesseldorf , Germany
e-mail: [email protected]