Objective:

To investigate the successes and challenges of implementing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical care and to develop an implementation guide for their integration.

Approach:

• Study Design: Qualitative semistructured interviews guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) were conducted with clinicians and practice staff from five rheumatology practices.
• Data Collection: Practices implemented workflows to collect SLE PROMs for at least 50 consecutive patients, focusing on physical function and depression assessments.
• Implementation Guide Development: A consensus-building approach was used to synthesize findings and create the SLE Quality Measures Implementation Guide, an open-source resource for integrating PROMs into routine practice.

Key Findings:

• Barriers and facilitators to PROM collection were identified through qualitative interviews with practice staff.
• The SLE Quality Measures Implementation Guide provides practical strategies for integrating PROMs into clinical workflows.

Interpretation:

Incorporating PROMs into SLE care can enhance understanding of patient experiences and improve clinical decision-making.

Limitations:

• The study was limited to five practices, which may not represent all rheumatology settings.
• Data collection was restricted to a specific electronic health record system, potentially affecting generalizability.

Conclusion:

The study provides a framework for the implementation of PROMs in clinical practice.

Sources:

• American College of Rheumatology