Assessing the Performance of the EQ-VAS in the NHS PROMs Programme

Abstract

The NHS Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) programme is a significant development in the routine collection and use of patient reported outcome data. Introduced in April 2009, it entails the routine collection of patient reported outcomes from all patients undergoing four elective surgical procedures in the NHS. The measures include both the EQ-5D and condition specific instruments. Data are collected from patients both before and after surgery. The collection of EQ-5D data will be extended gradually over a range of long term conditions and will be incorporated into a new GP Patient Survey. Longer term, the collection of patient reported health is expected to be rolled out across all NHS services, wherever practicable (DH, 2010). Once completed, this initiative could mean several million patients will complete the EQ-5D in England each year.