Strategies to promote the completion of patient-reported outcome measures by culturally and linguistically diverse and Indigenous Peoples in clinical care settings: A systematic review.

Abstract

Purpose: There is evidence of low completion of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Indigenous Peoples with chronic health conditions. We aimed to systematically identify ways to support and promote PROM completion by CALD communities and Indigenous Peoples in clinical care settings.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collections and CINAHL databases from 1 January 2000 to 19 September 2024. Primary studies were included if they focused on ways to support and promote PROM completion in the care of CALD and Indigenous populations in clinical care settings. The quality of the included papers was appraised independently by two reviewers, using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Data were analysed thematically. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023469317.

Results: Of 13,450 title/abstracts retrieved, five papers met eligibility. Strategies to promote PROM completion by Indigenous Peoples included (1) providing training to patients about what PROMs are (2) offering verbal modes of completion and (3) community consultation during design, development, and implementation of PROMs to ensure culturally appropriate and sensitive PROMs are used. Strategies to promote completion by people who are CALD included (1) providing information about how to use electronic PROMs, (2) facilitating self-completion, (3) offering different modes of completion (paper-based, digital), (4) increasing availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate PROM translations, and (5) system-wide financial and administrative support to use translated PROMs.

Conclusion: Few studies reported strategies to support the completion of PROMs by people from CALD backgrounds and/or Indigenous Peoples. Adequate training, planning (including community consultation), resourcing, and financial support are required to encourage people who are CALD and Indigenous Peoples to participate in PROM initiatives globally.