Survival Endpoints: Patient-Reported Experience Measures and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures as Quality Indicators for Outcomes

Abstract

Heterogeneity of cancer necessitates individualised cancer care as well as tailored survival endpoints-one size no longer fits all. In the past few years, apart from the standard clinical efficacy endpoints, patient reported outcomes have gathered a momentum as one among the quality indicators in the realm of practice changing oncology. These standardised and validated self-reporting instruments use a patients' viewpoint to assess the status of their health and their experience whilst receiving health care. This review explores the relevance of patient reported measures in the present clinical scenario and issues regarding its implementation amidst the barriers and challenges. These measures should be judiciously accounted as surrogate markers along with survival endpoints; for providing value based, highly comprehensive cancer care. New policy guidelines incorporating patient reported outcomes should be planned and formulated for future practice in oncology.