Physiotherapists use of and perspectives on the importance of patient-reported outcome measures for shoulder dysfunction

Background Many patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) for shoulder dysfunctions have acceptable psychometric properties. The present study examined current PRO usage and perceived importance. Methods Delegates at the 2010 International Congress of Shoulder and Elbow Therapists were invited to participate in this cross-sectional observational study. Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) web-based tools were used to design an online questionnaire, which was e-mailed to participants. Results Participants (n = 101) reflected an 84% response rate. PRO use was considered ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important by the majority of clinicians (76%) and researchers (98%). Most commonly used as a primary outcome by clinicians and researchers, respectively, were the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder Hand Questionnaire (DASH) (40%, 44%) and the Oxford Shoulder Scale (OSS) (36%, 22%) and, as secondary outcomes, the DASH (33%, 28%), OSS (17%, 8%), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) (8%,18%), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons standardized assessment form (ASES) (8%, 13%). Psychometric properties were rated as ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important by 86% to 96% of participants. Conclusions The majority of shoulder therapists consider PRO use to be very important and psychometric properties to be critical in PRO selection. The DASH, OSS, SPADI and ASES are most commonly used in clinical practice and research studies.