These cards are for people and communities. They explain how patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) support what matters most to you.
Use them to start a yarn, ask questions, learn about PROMs and how taking part can help improve your healthcare and wellbeing.
You can use these cards on your own or with a health professional, carer or family member. Pick a card, read the question and have a yarn about what it means for you.
If your health service team would like a physical pack of these yarning cards, contact aci-prm@health.nsw.gov.au
What are patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs)?
PROMs are simple surveys with questions about your health and your life. They help you share how you’re really going each day.
They help your healthcare team understand what matters most to you. PROMs might ask about things like:
- How you've been sleeping
- What you've been feeling
- Whether you are in pain
- How easy it is to do the things you enjoy
Why am I being asked to answer PROMs?
PROMs ensure your voice is heard throughout your care. It puts what matters most to you at the centre of decisions about your health.
By sharing how you’re feeling and what’s important in your life, you give your healthcare team a fuller picture. This includes things that tests and appointments don’t always show.
Your answers help make your care more personal and meaningful.
How often do I answer PROMs?
How often you’re asked to complete PROMs depends on your health and the care you’re receiving.
Your healthcare team will let you know when it’s a good time to answer PROMs and you can decide if you’re happy to share.
Do I have a choice about taking part?
Yes. Taking part is always your choice. You can say yes or no, and that’s okay.
When you’re first invited to complete a PROM, you’ll be asked for your consent. You can take your time, ask questions, and decide what feels right for you.
You’re in control every step of the way.
What if I change my mind later?
That’s okay. You can stop at any time.
If you choose to stop, the answers you have already shared will still be kept.
Your personal details will be removed, so no one can identify you. Your answers will only be used to help improve health services and how we care for others.
How do PROMs help with my care?
PROMs help to show your care team what you need.
This can help by:
- spotting any changes in your health or wellbeing early
- supporting shared decision-making.
Making choices together means your team can have better yarns with you. Yarning lets them understand what matters to you. This helps shape care that improves your health.
How can I complete PROMs?
You can answer PROMs in the way that feels easiest and most comfortable for you. This might be on your phone, through a link sent to your email, or with your healthcare team.
Choosing what works best for you makes it easier to share what matters in your life. If there’s a way you prefer to complete your PROMs, tell your healthcare team.
What if I need help filling it out?
You don’t have to do this on your own.
A member of your healthcare team, or someone you trust like a carer or family member, can help you.
PROMs are about sharing your story. It’s okay to have support to share it in a way that feels safe, comfortable and right for you.
Who sees my responses and how are they used?
Your healthcare team can see your answers. They use them to better understand your needs, plan your care with you, and follow up on what’s important.
You can also see your answers. You can ask your healthcare team for a printed copy. If you answered the questions online, you can log in and review them anytime.
Is my information safe?
Yes, your answers are safe.
We follow strict laws and policies to manage and store your information securely.
This helps keep your personal details safe while supporting better care.
Is this for research?
PROMs are mainly used to help your healthcare team understand your health and wellbeing, so they can support you better.
Sometimes, answers are also looked at to see where care can be improved for people and communities.
If information is used for research, your name and personal details are removed, so you can’t be identified.
Why doesn’t the PROM ask more about what matters to me?
The survey can’t ask about every part of your life − and it’s not meant to. PROMs are a starting point. They help your care team understand how you’re going, so you can have a more meaningful yarn together.
The yarn is where you can share more, in your own words. You can talk about healing, connection, culture, community, and anything else that shapes your wellbeing.