Please circle the best answer Standardization of patient-reported outcome measures in pediatric populations through selection, validation and implementation

To ensure that healthcare is well aligned with children’s experiences and needs, their perspectives on their own health should be systematically incorporated into their care. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)—questionnaires completed by patients that assess various health domains—are essential for achieving this integration. When incorporated into daily care, PROMs can improve communication between patients and healthcare providers, as well as enhance patients’ quality of life.
In pediatric physical therapy (PPT), PROMs are not yet systematically implemented, despite their potential to ensure that all aspects of self-reported health are addressed. This thesis presents a systematic approach to the selection, validation, and implementation of PROMs in PPT.
First, the development of a generic core set of patient-reported outcomes for PPT is described. It consists of nine outcomes identified as relevant by children, parents, and therapists.
Building on this, a core set of PROMs was formulated, including PROMIS instruments that are internationally recommended for their validity, reliability, and ability to capture the patient’s perspective across a wide range of conditions and ability levels.
This thesis demonstrates that the PROMIS instruments for Mobility, Upper Extremity, and Pain Interference are sufficiently valid and reliable for PPT. Moreover, administering these instruments through computerized adaptive testing (CAT) proved to be more efficient than using fixed-length questionnaires. CATs are digital questionnaires that automatically adapt to the respondent’s level or answers, thereby minimizing patient burden.
Finally, this thesis formulates implications for clinical care as well as directions for future research to further optimize use of PROMs in healthcare.