A 2016 policy paper that showcases the importance of measuring outcomes for greater transparency in and oversight of the performance of European healthcare systems. It summarises initiatives in different EU member-states, highlighting how different clinics and health authorities have improved their results by measuring and tracking patient-reported outcomes. It argues that such measures should be included in assessments of health system performance. A multi-stakeholder initiative endorsed by 12 patient, academic and industry groups, and organised by FIPRA.
From the report:
“Outcomes measurement for prostate cancer began at the Martini Klinik (in Germany) in 1994, with data initially recorded using an Excel table, but now via an electronic database. A range different outcomes data is collected: clinical (e.g. positive surgical margin – used after surgery to determine whether further treatment/surgery may be required), mortality, administrative (e.g. surgery and radiotherapy), and patient-reported (e.g. urinary function, and quality of life). Every six months, risk adjusted data for each surgeon is shared with the full team. A three-hour quality review meeting is held to analyse the results, and a biostatistician is tasked with analysing the data to help frame the discussion. As a result of these meetings, surgeons with the best results may observe surgeons with below average results, and those with higher complication rates may be assisted in surgery by more experienced surgeons. The outcomes produced by Martini Klinik are impressive – performing significantly better than the national (German) average on a number of measures. For example, the proportion of patients reporting:
“Any incontinence:
- Martini Klinik: 6.5%
- National average: 43.3%
Severe urinary incontinence:
- Martini Klinik: 0.4%
- National average: 4.5%
Severe erectile dysfunction:
- Martini Klinik: 34.7%
- National average: 75.5%
“Martini Klinik’s five-year survival rates for prostate cancer are also above the national average.”
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