Researchers are studying when to ask patients to complete PROs between office visits as a method to monitor symptoms and health status. For example, cancer researchers are testing weekly and monthly PRO reports to understand patient symptoms during active treatment. In another example, patients reported PROs after surgery for gastrointestinal surgery for cancer. In cancer and orthopedic patients suggests that patients who report changes in symptoms using PROs have better outcomes. A recent study in Germany reports that patients who reported PROs across the year following total joint arthroplasty surgery had better outcomes. (resources) As patients become familiar with phone and web technologies that administer PROs, and with completing the PRO assessments themselves, future between visit symptom monitoring may include both PRO reports and passively collected data, including physical activity and diet.

Overall, patients are the primary source of information about the symptoms and behaviors that reflect their health status. PROs will be one tool to assist clinicians in monitoring and managing health status.