Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Plastic Surgery: Use and Interpretation in Evidence-Based Medicine

Abstract

Understanding patients' perceptions of surgical results and their impacts on quality of life is of primary importance in plastic surgery, as procedures are largely performed to improve either appearance or function. Patient-reported outcome measures are questionnaires specifically designed to quantify aspects of health-related quality of life from the patient's perspective. This article presents an overview of patient-reported outcome measures. It also aims to provide plastic surgeons with the necessary critical appraisal skills to interpret and apply evidence from patient-reported outcomes research in their own clinical practice.

Improving Patient Follow-Up in Developing Regions

“…11,14,15 There are numerous general and specific utility measurement tools, but each has limitations and may not be applied reliably in the GC4 population. 8,[16][17][18][19] One could also consider subjective well-being measures as alternative metrics for studies such as this. For example, the UK's Office for National Statistics has since included subjective well-being questions in its annual household survey.…”

Validity, Reliability, and the Questionable Role of Psychometrics in Plastic Surgery

“…(Hence, the old expression “There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.”) 18 A valid test is simply one that measures what it intends to measure. 19–21 In this sense, validity is similar to accuracy, a term that also has a more restricted statistical meaning. Validity is not an absolute 19 ; few tests are either perfectly valid or entirely invalid.…”

“…Reliability means consistency—the ability to provide reproducible scores. 19,21 In this context, reliability is analogous to precision. A test may be precise (results consistent) but inaccurate (the mean result is not the true mean).…”

Validation of the Turkish Version of the Breast Reduction Assessed Severity Scale

“…15,16 Healthrelated questionnaires also provide required data for comprehensive measurements of surgical outcomes.…”