Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are a way for doctors and researchers to learn how patients feel and how they’re doing when dealing with a medical condition or treatment. Instead of just relying on medical tests and doctor’s observations, PROs ask patients to share their own experiences and feelings. For example, if you have a chronic illness, a PRO could be reported through answering questions such as:
- How much pain are you feeling on a scale of 1 to 10?
- Are you able to do your daily activities without trouble?
- How is your overall quality of life?
By collecting answers directly from people affected by MS, healthcare providers can get a better understanding of how a condition or treatment is affecting a person’s life and well-being. It helps people make healthcare decisions that are not just based on medical tests but also on how individuals actually feel.