Capturing and Incorporating Patient-Reported Outcomes into Clinical Trials: Practical Considerations for Clinicians

Patient centeredness as the focus of healthcare delivery requires the incorporation of patient-reported outcomes into clinical trials. Clearly defining measurable outcomes as well as selecting the most appropriate validated collection tool to use is imperative for success. Creating and validating one's own instrument is also possible, albeit more cumbersome. Meticulous data collection to avoid missing data is key, as is limiting the number of data collection points to prevent survey fatigue and using electronic systems to facilitate data gathering and analysis. Working in a multidisciplinary team that includes statisticians with expertise in patient reported outcomes is essential to navigate the complexities of statistical analysis of these variables. Use of available and emerging technologies for data collection and analysis as well as data sharing will greatly facilitate the process of incorporating patient-reported outcomes into trials and routine clinical practice.