The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is an internationally recognised, validated set of surveys developed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). PROMIS is designed to measure patient health status across multiple domains such as physical, mental and social wellbeing as well as fatigue.
In SurgicalPerformance, PROMIS offers surgeons a broad and reliable way to capture how patients feel and physically function after surgery; thus providing a valuable complement to postoperative clinical outcomes.
Who it applies to: PROMIS is suitable for all surgical specialties and procedures.
How the Survey Works
Survey structure: PROMIS surveys use a bank of standardised questions covering domains such as:
Physical health (pain, fatigue, mobility)
Mental health (anxiety, depression, emotional wellbeing)
Social health (ability to participate in daily activities and social roles)
Fatigue
Scoring approach:
Responses are captured using Likert scales (e.g., frequency, severity, intensity).
Results are converted into T-scores (mean of 50, standard deviation of 10) to allow easy interpretation and comparison.
Higher or lower scores may indicate better or worse functioning depending on the domain measured.
Interpretation: PROMIS scores can be tracked over time to evaluate recovery, quality of life, and the impact of surgery on overall wellbeing.
Survey Timing in SurgicalPerformance
When it’s sent: PROMIS surveys are delivered at standard postoperative intervals (2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months) and cannot be modified (because they are globally validated). Standardised timing of surveys allows you to compare your results against anonymised, aggregated data from other surgeons.
How patients receive it: Patients receive an SMS with a secure link to complete the survey.
Completion details: Each survey takes around 2 minutes to complete and requires a smartphone or web-enabled device.
Benefits for Surgeons and Patients
For surgeons:
Captures a wide range of patient-reported data that applies across all surgical specialties.
Provides standardised outcomes that can be compared against normative reference scores.
Supports CPD, quality improvement and research activities.
For patients:
Gives them a structured way to share how they are feeling after surgery.
Offers reassurance that their recovery is monitored beyond the operating room.
References & Validation
PROMIS has been extensively validated in multiple clinical settings and is considered the gold standard for patient-reported outcomes measurement.
Cella D, Yount S, Rothrock N, et al. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS): Progress of an NIH Roadmap Cooperative Group during its first two years. Med Care. 2007;45(5 Suppl 1):S3–S11.
Cella D, Riley W, Stone A, et al. The PROMIS initiative: Toward efficient and standardised measurement of patient-reported outcomes in clinical research. Value Health. 2010;13(5):S1–S4.
Using PROMIS in SurgicalPerformance
Enabling the survey: When entering a case, select PROMIS as the survey option. You can choose domains relevant to the type of surgery or the patient’s recovery goals.
Viewing results: PROMIS scores are displayed in your dashboard, tracked over time by case and patient.
Integration: PROMIS results complement other quality of life questionnaires (e.g., Patient Satisfaction or APFQ) and surgeon-entered data, creating a comprehensive view of outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can patients use PROMIS instead of attending follow-up?
No. PROMIS complements clinical follow-up consultations but does not replace them.What if a patient does not complete the survey?
Patients may skip surveys. If a patient does not complete a survey, we treat this as an opt-out. You may follow up if additional insights are needed.Can I select which PROMIS domains to use?
Yes. PROMIS allows flexibility to focus on physical, mental, fatigue or social health domains.Is patient data secure?
Yes. All responses are encrypted, stored securely, and visible only to you as the surgeon.
By incorporating PROMIS into your SurgicalPerformance workflow, you can capture standardised, validated patient-reported outcomes across multiple domains, helping you monitor recovery, enhance patient care, and deliver data-driven insights into surgical success.