The advantages of electronic patient-reported measures and an example digital platform to collect ePROs after total knee arthroplasty

The patient’s perspective is increasingly being sought out in measuring the success of a medical procedure. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are the tools used to elicit patient options. Despite increased popularity, issues still remain around their use. Electronic PROMs have been suggested as an improvement on paper-based collection of data. Begun in 2004, the US-initiated Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS ® ) aims to improve the standards for the assessment of self-reported health status. The PROMIS initiative has generated a reliable and sensitive system, customised to the patient, which poses as few questions as possible. This is achieved through the use of computer-adaptive tests (CATs), which are individually tailored electronic questionnaires. Smith & Nephew collaborated with Wellframe Inc., a US-based patented health management solution, to adapt their platform for total knee arthroplasty patients and PROMIS CAT data collection. The platform’s app can be used outside of scheduled clinic visits to collect data from patients. This enables orthopaedic surgeons, for the first time, to remotely track their patients’ real-time healing progress and satisfaction levels. Smith & Nephew is currently investigating the use of this application for clinical research purposes. If electronic PROMs deliver on their promise, there is great potential to introduce them to the many clinical studies that the company runs and/or funds.