11 General Introduction 1 different consequences for an individual’s mental wellbeing and quality of life. And so, we should not merely look at physical examination results and tests, laboratory tests and imaging techniques. Ear, - Nose- and Throat (ENT) surgeons should also listen very carefully to their patients. To facilitate this process, countless Patient Reported Outcomes Measures (PROMs) have been developed to evaluate treatment effects, monitor disease progression across various stages, evaluate symptom severity and measure health-related quality of life. Quality assessment To work towards a more value-based health care system in the Netherlands, constant analysis of registered parameters is needed. A value-based health care system is an approach to health care that focuses on providing the best possible health care for patients while controlling costs.4 In a value-based health care system, the focus is on the result that matter to the patient most. This approach emphasizes what is best for the patient, taking into consideration their individual needs, preferences, and health goals. By focusing on clinical-, patient-reported and process outcomes, value-based health care aims to reduce unnecessary or redundant investigations, surgeries, and hospital visits, thus controlling health care costs for both patients and the health care system. Providers (e.g. ENT surgeons) are held accountable for the quality of care they deliver, often through measurable metrics and outcomes. Next to clinical or process measures, patient reported outcome data comprise an important metric that can be used to evaluate value-based health care. Objective measures can also be used to assess outcome of treatment. For instance, adverse events or complications, recurrence of disease or hearing loss. All ENT surgeons in the Netherlands are expected to register their complications, incidents, and adverse effects of their treatment as part of quality control. Up until 2018, except for registration of active hearing-implants (e.g. cochlear implants), for patients with ear diseases, no quality indicators or audit was set up yet. In 2018 the Dutch ENT Society launched the Dutch Otologic Quality Registry (DOQ). The main goal of the DOQ is to gain insight into the quality of otological care in the Netherlands and further improve it through feedback to ENT specialists. Additionally, the DOQ serves purposes such as facilitating scientific research, providing patient information, and offering national steering information and accountability.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY0ODMw