Adult Assessment
- PROMIS developed self-report measures for adults for functions, symptoms, behaviors, and feelings. See the List of Adult Measures>>
- Measures are available in Spanish and many other languages. See the list of Available Translations>>
- PROMIS measures are available for free and can be administered in multiple ways. Learn how to obtain and administer PROMIS measures>>
Pediatric Assessment
- PROMIS developed pediatric measures for functions, symptoms, behaviors, and feelings. See the List of Pediatric Measures>>
- Self-report measures are used for children ages 8-17. Parent proxy-report measures are used for children ages 1-17. See the List of Parent Proxy Report Measures>>
- Early Childhood Parent-Report measures are available for children ages 1-5.
- Parent Proxy measures are available for children ages 5-17.
- Measures are available in Spanish and many other languages. See the list of Available Translations>>
- PROMIS measures are available for free and can be administered in multiple ways. Learn how to obtain and administer PROMIS measures>>
Short Forms, Computer Adaptive Tests, and Profiles
PROMIS offers multiple types of measures.
- Short Forms: fixed set of 4-10 items or questions for one domain. Items were selected from an item bank.
- Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs): items are dynamically selected for administration from an item bank based upon the respondent’s previous answers. Usually 4-12 items with a high level of measurement precision. Learn more about CATs>> or try out a CAT>>
- Profiles: fixed collection of short forms or CATs from multiple domains.
- Scales: fixed set of items for one domain. Items are not from an item bank.
- Download a table of all PROMIS domains>>
Two types of measures are not intended to be administered in their entirety to respondents: item banks and item pools. Both are collections of items for a single domain. Item banks are calibrated using item response theory and therefore any subset of items can produce a T-score. Item pools are not calibrated and therefore do not produce T-scores.
PROMIS is Appropriate for Use Across a Range of Patient Populations
PROMIS measures can be used in the general population and with adults and pediatric populations with a chronic condition(s).
- PROMIS enables comparisons across populations and studies
- Learn more about the advantages of universally-relevant versus disease-attributed measures>>
Beneficial Features of PROMIS Measures
- PROMIS measures have greater precision than most conventional measures. Greater precision (less error) enhances power in a less costly way than increasing sample size.
- PROMIS measures have a larger range of measurement than most conventional measures, decreasing floor and ceiling effects as a result.
- PROMIS measures do all this with fewer items than conventional measures, thereby decreasing respondent burden. When used as computer adaptive tests, PROMIS measures usually require 4-6 items for precise measurement of health-related constructs.
- PROMIS measures provide a common metric: the T-score (mean = 50, standard deviation = 10). In most cases 50 equals the mean in the U.S. general population. This metric has also been linked to many other conventional measures, and even if other measures are used, it may be possible to report results on the PROMIS metric, a considerable advantage for ensuring comparability across studies.
- PROMIS offers flexibility: published short forms, custom selection of specific items, and computer adaptive tests are all available. Scores from each measure can be compared to other measures derived from the same item bank.
- PROMIS measures can be administered alongside Neuro-QoL™, ASCQ-Me®, and NIH Toolbox® measures that assess other aspects of health and function.
Active PROMIS Research
- PROMIS measure development methods are rigorous and being used to expand into new areas of self-reported health. Learn more about the development of PROMIS measures>>
- Substantial qualitative and quantitative evidence continues to be published supporting the validity of PROMIS measures. Learn more about the validation of PROMIS measures>>
- There are over 1000 PROMIS publications. See the List of Publications>>
- PROMIS is now in use internationally. Learn more about PROMIS International>>
PROMIS Health Organization
HealthMeasures is the official information and distribution center for PROMIS which was developed and evaluated with National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding.
HealthMeasures works collaboratively with the PROMIS Health Organization (PHO), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The aim of the PHO is to advance the science of health outcomes by promoting widespread use and adoption of PROMIS in research and clinical practice. It encourages the use of PROMIS by offering guidance on scientific standards and presenting education to meet the needs of new and experienced PROMIS users.
The PHO offers training and education from PROMIS basics to implementation and analysis to meet the needs of new and experienced PROMIS users. It is an open, growing membership organization that welcomes members from around the world who are interested in bringing the patient’s voice to the forefront of medicine. Many HealthMeasures scientists are members of the PHO. The organization’s members include early career and experienced researchers, clinicians, students, health system administrators, health policy experts, representatives of the technology and pharmaceutical industries, and government.
Visit the PROMIS Health Organization website for more information about the PHO, becoming a member, and other PROMIS opportunities. Learn more>>
PROMIS, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, and the PROMIS logo are marks owned by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.