Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in Dermatology: An Idea Whose Time Has Come

The second half of the twentieth century saw the development of evidence-based medicine. Gradually, objective measures were introduced to characterize and measure the outcomes. The ways in which outcomes were expressed were quantified and tried to be standardized for uniform application. Simultaneously, there was an evolution of medical ethics too. It involved shifting of focus from paternalism to an informed consent-based approach. This empowered patients and provided them with greater agency. The treatment approach became more patient-centric. “The surgery was successful; the patient is dead” grew less acceptable.