The Government released a White Paper in July 2010 – Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS stating that patient reported outcome measures or PROMS should be used across the health service where practicable. Outcome data is, in theory, an objective way of assessing whether an intervention has been effective or not.
Despite the fact the government has introduced this guideline there are no compulsory assessments necessary in foot and ankle surgery and not all surgeons regularly collect outcome data, in fact most do not regularly collect data on interventions performed. Mr Roche believes this is an important aspect to the delivery of effective health care. It also allows him to regularly audit and review his results and maintain high standards in comparison to other units.
Mr Roche is constantly collecting his outcomes from the questionnaires completed by patients that then form the basis of research projects to ensure he is at the forefront of surgical development.
There are many ways of assessing outcome following any treatment and hundreds of questionnaires have been used in a variety of forms. The questionnaires that Mr Roche regularly uses are easy to fill in, short and well-understood.
Examples of questionnaires used are below but you would be guided as to which to fill in by your surgeon.
