Measuring relevant outcomes in a timely manner is a priority in a health care system increasingly focused on the delivery of high-value care. Most quality measures focus on care processes or downstream outcomes such as survival; until recently, there has been less emphasis on quantitative measurements of functional outcomes, symptoms, and quality of life. Measuring patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with standardized questionnaires is one way of getting this information. PRO collection has proliferated in oncology, where it has been linked to improved symptom management, enhanced quality of life, and longer survival. Given these benefits, payers have started to encourage providers to incorporate PRO collection into routine care. For example, the Medicare Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement model includes financial incentives for hospitals to collect and submit PRO data for patients undergoing elective hip or knee replacement.

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