Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are pivotal in shifting the focus of healthcare from a purely clinical perspective to a more patient-centered one, which is a core component of King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre's future vision. As a leading healthcare institution, KFSH & RC seeks to implement PROMs across all its service lines, solidifying its commitment to deliver personalized, high-quality care that addresses each patient's unique needs and concerns. Through effective utilization of PROMs, the hospital aims to empower patients by involving them more actively in their own care, thereby enhancing patient engagement and satisfaction.
The data collected through PROMs will serve as a valuable tool for decision-making at KFSH & RC, informing not only individual patient care but also broader strategic decisions. By analyzing these outcomes, the hospital can identify gaps in care, assess the effectiveness of interventions, and prioritize areas for improvement. This approach aligns with KFSH & RC's vision to be a global leader in healthcare innovation and excellence, consistently delivering the best patient experience and outcomes. Implementing PROMs reflects the hospital's commitment to harnessing advanced technologies and methodologies to continuously elevate the standard of care and improve patient lives.
The Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) is a clinical assessment tool designed to evaluate the severity and impact of osteoarthritis specifically in the ankle joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage and the underlying bone in the joints, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
The AOS is structured as a questionnaire or scoring system that enables healthcare professionals to gather information from patients about their symptoms, functional limitations, and overall well-being related to ankle osteoarthritis. The scale typically includes questions covering various aspects such as pain intensity, joint stiffness, swelling, functional abilities (such as walking, climbing stairs, or engaging in daily activities), and the impact of symptoms on the individual's quality of life.
Patients may be asked to rate their experiences based on a numerical scale or descriptive categories, allowing clinicians to quantify the severity of symptoms and their effects on the ankle joint. This scale assists healthcare providers in assessing the progression of osteoarthritis, tracking changes over time, and determining appropriate treatment plans tailored to the patient's needs.
Healthcare professionals utilize the information gathered from the AOS to guide interventions, which may include a combination of treatments such as physical therapy, medication, lifestyle modifications, assistive devices, and in some cases, surgical options to manage pain and improve joint function.
The AOS serves as a valuable tool in clinical practice, aiding in the evaluation, monitoring, and management of ankle osteoarthritis, ultimately aiming to enhance patient outcomes and improve their overall quality of life.
The SF-36, or Short Form-36 Health Survey, is a widely used questionnaire designed to assess an individual's overall health status and quality of life across various dimensions. It is a versatile tool that measures health-related quality of life by capturing the individual's perceptions of their physical, mental, and social well-being.
Developed from the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS), the SF-36 consists of 36 questions covering eight health domains, grouped into two main categories: physical health and mental health.
The physical health domains include:
The mental health domains encompass:
Responses to the SF-36 questionnaire generate scores for each domain, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's health-related quality of life across these different aspects. These scores help healthcare providers and researchers gain insights into the impact of various health conditions, interventions, or treatments on patients' well-being.
The SF-36 is valuable in clinical settings for assessing the effectiveness of treatments, tracking changes in health status over time, and comparing the health-related quality of life among different populations. Additionally, it serves as a tool for health policy analysis and research studies aiming to understand the broader health outcomes and needs of diverse patient groups.