Real-Time Feedback of Burn-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

What is the study about?

This study assessed the feasibility of administering a computerized burn specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) in an outpatient, clinical setting. Researchers adapted the Young Adult Burn Outcome Questionnaire (YABOQ) to a computer-based survey approach to provide information about an individual burn patient’s recovery in comparison to that of the general burn population and people without burn injuries. The study aimed to understand the usefulness of this approach.

What did the study find?

Researchers showed how a burn-specific patient reported outcome measure, YABOQ, can be used in a clinical setting. Participants indicated that the YABOQ was easy to use and helpful to the patients, with most agreeing that it helped them better understand their recovery. Most participants also agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend it to others. Questions important to participants were not necessarily important to care givers, although pain, itch physical function were seen as important to all. Clinicians’ feedback was mixed, with only one third reporting that it helped with understanding a patient’s condition, although in several cases the clinicians indicated YABOQ brought an issue to doctors’ attention. Researchers stated that the findings were not conclusive but results were encouraging about the utility of the format and questionnaire.

Who participated in the study?

The study included 12 burn patients, 19-30 years old whose burn injury occurred between 1 and 24 months prior, and their practitioners. Participants needed to be able to read and understand English, and have no health or cognitive issues that prevented them from participating.

How was the study conducted?

The YABOQ was administered on an iPad in the clinic prior to the patient’s appointment. The survey includes questions about 15 domains of function including pain, itch, physical function, social function, perceived appearance, and work integration.

Participants in the study received an automatically generated report based on their survey answers and brought the report with them to the exam room. This report tracks the individual patient’s recovery against that of the general burn population and against the average recovery track of patients with a similar injury. Clinicians and patients also filled out satisfaction surveys about their experience using the YABOQ and the resulting report at the end of each visit.

Reference

Ryan, C.M., Lee, A. F., Kazis, L.E., Shapiro, G.D., Schneider, J.C., Goverman, J., Fagan, S. P….Tompkins, R. G. (2016). Is Real-Time Feedback of BurnSpecific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Clinical Settings Practical and Useful? A Pilot Study Implementing the Young Adult Burn Outcome Questionnaire. Journal of Burn Care & Research, 37(1), 64-74.

The contents of this quick review were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90DP0012-01-00). However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.