How to decide which patient-reported outcome measure to use? A practical guide for plastic surgeons

The use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is rising across all medical specialties as their importance to patient care is validated. They are likely to play a particularly important role in plastic and reconstructive surgery where outcomes are often subjective, and the recent guidance from the Royal College of Surgeons of England advising their use in cosmetic surgery highlight this. In order to drive their routine use across our specialty it is important that clinicians are able to understand the often complex and confusing language that surrounds their design and validation.