Outcome measurement in hand surgery - a brief overview.

Abstract

Many objective examinations can be used to evaluate the results of surgical care. In addition, a variety of specific questionnaires, so-called PROMs (Patient-reported Outcome Measures), can be used to assess a patient's subjective perception. In recent years, PROMs, which assess the main areas of patients' interest, have been considered an important element in the comprehensive measurement of treatment outcomes. Recently, this approach has also proven valuable for the possibility of evaluating the results of health care without the need for the physical presence of the patient in the medical facility. In the presented overview, a brief list of objective measurements in the area of the hand and wrist is provided. It then focuses on the most used PROMs, together with a summary of the basic theory of their use.