Collection of patient reported outcomes typically occur in three ways: interviews, self-administration or a combination of both (Desphande et al., 2011). As the general population becomes ever more tech-savvy, researchers are moving towards electronic administration of PROs to collect patient outcomes data. The use of electronic PROs can be more beneficial than paper based PROs as they reduce data entry errors, allow for notifications to be sent to the patient and may be viewed as more convenient than other methods, thus increasing the likelihood of patient participation.
VALHUE, a joint project between VCH and UBC make use of both paper-based and electronic PRO questionnaires. Another example is the use of electronic PROs in clinical oncology, as they allow for regular monitoring of patient symptoms and functions and can real-time alerts sent to providers when patients report acute needs (Bennett et al., 2012). Electronic PROs can increase efficiency for both researchers and providers, by allowing real-time access to data and tracking capabilities. On the other hand, electronic PROs require significant resources and expertise, and may not be suitable for certain cultures or population demographics its implementation. These are important considerations as researchers and providers continue to move forward with the collection of PROs to inform health policy.