Improving Patient-reported Measures in Oncology

This is a landscape analysis of available patient-reported measures and patient-reported performance measures in oncology and offers recommendations for filling gaps in measures and removing barriers to measure implementation in accountable care programs.

Authors: Valuck T, Schmidt T, Perkins B, Patel P, Westrich K, Basch E, McClellan M
Date: February 2019
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This study, conducted by researchers at the National Pharmaceutical Council and Discern Health, in collaboration with the Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy and the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, evaluated the landscape of available patient-reported measures (PRMs) and patient-reported performance measures (PR-PMs) in oncology. Authors offered recommendations for filling gaps in measures and removing barriers to measure implementation.

Researchers conducted the study by developing an organizing framework to perform an environmental scan, identified gaps in existing PRMs and PR-PMs within the phases of care and domains of quality measurement identified in the framework and then garnered input from experts and stakeholders in oncology, value-based purchasing and quality measurement.  To close gaps, authors outlined five core strategic recommendations:

  1. Involve patients and caregivers throughout all aspects of the measures’ life cycle to ensure measures capture value
  2. Fill care phase and domain gaps in PRMs and PR-PMs
  3. Address methodological challenges
  4. Reduce provider and patient burden by standardizing and aligning use of PRMs and PR-PMs
  5. Support providers in PRM and PR-PM implementation

The study builds on previous work to close gaps in quality measurement and better incorporate patient input in accountable care.

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