The Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I) is a simple, validated, patient-reported outcome measure designed to capture a patient’s overall perception of improvement following treatment or surgery. Unlike condition-specific questionnaires, the PGI-I is a broad tool that reflects how patients themselves view their recovery and treatment success.
By incorporating the PGI-I into SurgicalPerformance, surgeons gain an immediate snapshot of patient satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of care.
Who it applies to: The PGI-I is suitable for all surgical specialties and procedures.
How the Survey Works
Survey structure: The PGI-I consists of a single question:
“Since beginning treatment/surgery, how would you describe the change (if any) in your condition?”Scoring approach:
Patients select one response from a 7-point Likert scale ranging from “Very much improved” to “Very much worse.”
This simple, direct measure provides a global impression of change from the patient’s perspective.
Interpretation:
Lower scores (e.g., “Very much improved” or “Much improved”) indicate positive outcomes.
Higher scores (e.g., “No change” or “Worse”) signal limited benefit or potential complications.
Survey Timing in SurgicalPerformance
When it’s sent: The PGI-I survey is delivered at 3, 6 and 12 months post-operatively in SurgicalPerformance.
How patients receive it: Patients receive an SMS with a secure survey link.
Completion details: The PGI-I takes less than 1 minute to complete and can be answered on any smartphone.
Benefits for Surgeons and Patients
For surgeons:
Provides an easy, standardised measure of overall patient-perceived improvement.
Provides an opportunity for the surgeon to contact the patient.
Can be used across all surgical procedures, regardless of specialty.
Enables quick identification of patients who feel they are not progressing as expected.
For patients:
Offers a simple way to share how they feel about their recovery.
Reinforces that their perceptions are valued as part of their care journey.
References & Validation
The PGI-I has been widely validated and used in multiple fields, including urology, gynaecology, and general surgery.
Yalcin I, Bump RC. Validation of two global impression questionnaires for incontinence. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2003;189(1):98–101.
Other studies confirm its reliability and responsiveness across diverse patient populations.
Using the PGI-I in SurgicalPerformance
Enabling the survey: When entering a case, select PGI-I as the PROMS survey option.
Viewing results: Responses appear in your dashboard, linked to the relevant case, and can be tracked over time alongside other measures.
Integration: The PGI-I complements other PROMS (e.g., PROMIS, APFQ, AHQ) by providing a global overview of the patient’s impression of improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if a patient does not complete the survey?
Non-response is possible, but because it’s a single-question tool, response rates are usually high.Can patients use the PGI-I instead of attending follow-up?
No. The PGI-I complements, but does not replace scheduled clinical follow-up appointments.
Can I use the PGI-I for any surgery?
Yes. It is a generic measure suitable for all types of procedures.Is patient data secure?
Yes. All responses are encrypted, stored securely, and visible only to you as the surgeon.
By incorporating the PGI-I into your SurgicalPerformance workflow, you gain a fast, validated measure of overall patient improvement, helping you to quickly gauge satisfaction, identify concerns, and demonstrate a commitment to patient-centred care.