Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) play a vital role in understanding how patients feel, function, and progress throughout their care. Traditionally, many clinics have relied on paper-based PROMs — printed forms, manual scoring, and filing systems that consume valuable time.
With the rise of digital health tools, digital PROMs offer a smarter, more efficient way to collect and use patient outcome data. In this article, we explore how digital PROMs improve clinical practice compared to paper-based systems, and why more allied health clinics are making the switch.
The Limitations of Paper-Based PROMs
While paper PROMs have been widely used for years, they come with several challenges that can limit their effectiveness.
Time-Consuming Administration
Paper forms must be printed, handed out, collected, manually scored, and stored. This process takes time away from both clinicians and admin staff — time that could be better spent on patient care.
Increased Risk of Errors
Manual scoring and data entry increase the likelihood of errors, lost forms, or incomplete records, which can impact the accuracy of patient outcomes.
Limited Access to Insights
Paper PROMs make it difficult to track progress over time or identify trends across patients. Analysing outcomes often requires additional manual work or may not happen at all.
How Digital PROMs Improve Clinical Practice
Digital PROMs remove many of the barriers associated with paper-based systems, creating a more streamlined and effective workflow for clinics.
Automation That Saves Time
Digital PROMs automate the entire process — from sending forms to patients, to scoring and storing results. When integrated with practice management systems like Cliniko, PROMs can be sent automatically at key points in a patient’s care journey, reducing manual tasks and admin workload.
Easier for Patients to Complete
Patients can complete digital PROMs on their own device, at home or in the clinic. This convenience leads to:
Fewer incomplete forms
Better accessibility
Improved patient engagement
When forms are easy to complete, patients are more likely to provide accurate and thoughtful responses.
Higher Completion Rates
Digital reminders and user-friendly interfaces significantly improve PROM completion rates compared to paper forms that can be forgotten, misplaced, or rushed in the waiting room.
Faster Access to Meaningful Data
Digital PROMs provide instant scoring and results, allowing clinicians to quickly assess patient progress. This real-time access supports:
Better clinical decision-making
More informed conversations with patients
Early identification of issues or plateaus
Reduced Administrative Burden
With no printing, scanning, filing, or manual data entry required, clinics can dramatically reduce admin time. This not only improves efficiency but also lowers operational costs over time.
Better Outcomes for Clinicians and Patients
Digital PROMs don’t just make life easier for clinics — they also improve the quality of care.
Enhanced Patient-Centred Care
By consistently capturing the patient’s perspective, clinicians gain deeper insight into how treatments are impacting daily life, not just clinical measurements.
Clear Progress Tracking
Digital systems allow outcomes to be tracked over time, making it easier to demonstrate improvement, adjust treatment plans, and show value to patients and stakeholders.
Improved Reporting and Accountability
Structured, digital data supports reporting requirements, audits, and quality improvement initiatives without additional workload.
Why Digital PROMs Are the Future of Allied Health
As healthcare continues to move toward digital-first solutions, paper-based PROMs are becoming increasingly outdated. Clinics that adopt digital PROMs benefit from improved efficiency, better data, and a more engaging experience for both staff and patients.
Solutions like Allied PROMs, with seamless Cliniko integration, make it easy for allied health practices to transition away from paper and unlock the full value of patient-reported outcomes.
Conclusion
Switching from paper-based PROMs to digital PROMs is more than a technological upgrade — it’s a step toward smarter, more patient-centred care. With automation, higher completion rates, faster insights, and reduced admin, digital PROMs help clinics focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional care.
