Table 4 Purpose and advantages using outcome measures in clinical care/audit (multiple answers possible)
From: Implementing patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) in palliative care - users' cry for help
Europe n (%) | Africa n (%) | |
|---|---|---|
Purpose of using outcome measures in clinical care/audit | n = 254 | n = 86 |
To assess patients' symptoms/needs/problems | 234 (92.1%) | 77 (89.5%) |
To monitor changes in patients' health status or quality of life | 180 (70.9%) | 58 (67.4%) |
To evaluate the effect of an intervention/care/service | 172 (67.7%) | 68 (79.1%) |
To facilitate communication in the team | 117 (46.1%) | 35 (40.7%) |
To document patients' characteristics | 116 (45.7%) | 37 (43.0%) |
To assess families' needs/problems | 111 (43.7%) | 51 (59.3%) |
To facilitate communication with patients/families | 85 (33.5%) | 40 (46.5%) |
To assess the care given against standards (in audit) | 59 (23.2%) | 45 (52.3%) |
Other, please state | 9 (3.5%) | 12 (14.0%) |
Advantages of using outcome measures | n = 233 | n = 78 |
To better understand patients' and families' needs (e.g. assessment, screening) | 186 (79.8%) | 72 (92.3%) |
To improve the quality of care for patients and families | 172 (73.8%) | 72 (92.3%) |
To make decisions regarding treatment/care | 170 (73.0%) | 73 (93.6%) |
To communicate in the team | 147 (63.1%) | 56 (71.8%) |
To evaluate services | 121 (51.9%) | 64 (82.1%) |
To communicate with the patients and families | 102 (43.8%) | 58 (74.4%) |
Other, please state | 16 (6.9%) | 14 (17.9%) |