National Quality Forum (NQF) launched an project to create a roadmap to develop digital consumer-reported outcome performance measures that are based on consumer responses to “patient reported outcome measures” (PROMs). For this project, NQF intends to identify attributes of high-quality PROMs. NQF started the project to address stakeholder feedback about the lack of detailed technical guidance that measure developers can use to develop high impact PRO-PMs. Funding for this initiative is provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). NQF is seeking nominees by November 10, 2020, for a technical expert panel (TEP).
PROs refer to any information provided directly by consumers, without modification or interpretation of the consumer’s responses by health care professionals or anyone else. In this context, the term “patients” or “consumers” may include individuals receiving care and treatments, caregivers, family members, and health care service consumers in general. PROs include events or experiences occurring outside clinical visits, such as consumer assessments of their mental or physical well-being, intellectual or physical functional status, level of pain, presence or severity of disease symptoms, quality of life, etc. PROs may or may not be captured by structured or standardized instruments.
For this project, NQF will recruit and convene a technical expert panel (TEP). The multistakeholder TEP will consist of no more than 25 individuals, with at least three being consumer or caregiver partners. The TEP will meet eight times via 90-minute web meetings over 15 months, with the possibility of an additional six meetings over a subsequent year if the work is extended. The TEP will have the following tasks:
- Help develop step-by-step guidance for using PROMs to develop digital PRO-PMs
- Guide the recommendations that will be highlighted in the final report
- Provide input on the project’s components, provide expertise on measurement gaps and priorities
- Explore challenges and opportunities related to developing and implementing PRO-PMs
NQFis seeking nominees for the committee with perspectives that include clinicians; measure developers; representatives of health plans; representatives of health care facilities or physician group practices; representatives of specialty societies, including those that focus on pain management or functioning; and patients, family members, and caregivers, particularly those who have lived experience with chronic pain and/or limited functioning. Additionally, healthcare stakeholders with other perspectives are welcome to submit a nomination. There is an opportunity for key informant interviews as well as focus groups to help shape project recommendations.
More information about the initiative and the call for nominations is posted at http://www.qualityforum.org/Building_a_Roadmap_from_Patient-Reported_Outcome_Measures_to_Patient-Reported_Outcome-Performance_Measures_.aspx (accessed October 20, 2020).
This was reported by National Quality Forum on October 9, 2020.
Contact information: National Quality Forum, 1099 14th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20005; 202-783-1300; Fax: 202-783-3434; Email: info@qualityforum.org; Website: http://www.qualityforum.org/
