Balancing Fidelity and Practicality in Short Version Musculoskeletal Patient Reported Outcome Measures

Abstract

The demand for greater efficiency through shorter, user friendly PRO measures is discussed. The aim is to reduce respondent, clinician and researcher burden while retaining precision instruments with validated psychometric properties. The reductive statistical methodology and techniques used to achieve these goals are highlighted. The general lack of important qualitative input from the clinician and patient in these processes is noted. This lack of input can be detrimental to the clinical practicality and cost efficiency of the final product. It may also raise problems of potential conflicts of interest. Four additional areas of practical concern with particular significance are outlined: questionnaire format, item number, time benefits and scoring methods.