The use of outcome data in patient consultations from the healthcare professionals' and patients' perspectives: A mixed methods study

Objectives: To gain insight into healthcare professionals' (HCPs') perspectives on the use of outcome data in consultations and to understand which aggregated outcomes patients find important. Methods: This study had a mixed-methods design and consisted of two steps:1. HCPs (n = 11) were interviewed about the use of outcome data in consultations. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.2. Patients with prostate cancer, lung cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) completed questionnaires (n = 283) to identify important outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.Results: HCPs indicated that aggregated outcome data are not routinely used in consultations. They pointed out various barriers to using outcome data, e.g., low response rates of PROMs, and suggested actions to address these barriers, including training of HCPs in outcome data usage. Patients rated the majority of aggregated outcomes as important, although preferences differed between the studied health conditions.Conclusion: Both HCPs and patients underscored the importance of discussing outcome data in consultations. Nevertheless, HCPs encountered several barriers to using outcome data. Furthermore, patients with different health conditions have somewhat different information needs.Practice implications: The study identified several actionable steps to enhance the collection and application of outcome data in consultations.