PhD defence T. (Thymen) Houwen

Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:

The primary goal of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of minor and major traumatic injuries on significant health outcomes such as physical function, the ability to participate in social roles and activities and pain interference, by using patient reported outcomes. Furthermore, the needs for information and support of both patients and health care professionals after trauma were explored. The questions discussed in this thesis are divided into two main subjects. Part I describes the exploration of interest and usage of generic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) with regard to treatment and information provision to trauma patients. Part II inquires the implementation and results of Patient-Reported Outcomes measurement Information System computer adaptive testing questionnaires ‘physical function’, the ability to participate in social roles and activities and pain interference in daily practice in patients with a fracture.