LINCOLN, R.I., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of clinical research to improve the understanding of Premenstrual Syndrome/Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMS/PMDD), Min Yang, MD, PhD, a Senior Scientist with QualityMetric(TM) Health Outcomes Solutions, was presented the 2008-2009 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)/Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Research Award. The award was presented at ACOG's 56th Annual Clinical Meeting held recently in New Orleans as part of their Fellowships and Awards Program promoting research in critical areas of women's health.
The award was presented to Dr. Yang in recognition of proposed research titled, "A Feasibility Study of Establishing a Web-based Women's Health Portal and Information System." The purpose of the Feasibility Study is to define features and functionality of a Women's Health Portal, conceived by QualityMetric to be an interactive and educational healthcare experience serving consumers, clinicians, and other stakeholders who seek relevant information on women's health, including PMS/PMDD. The Women's Health Portal will incorporate patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures developed by QualityMetric, including disease/condition screening tools and surveys that assess and monitor overall health status, also referred to as health-related quality of life (HRQOL), of women over time, individually and in aggregate.
"We are extremely proud of Dr. Yang's research accomplishments and excited about the opportunity a Women's Health Portal will present to healthcare," commented James E. Dewey, PhD, QualityMetric's Chief Innovation and Research Officer. "We appreciate the recognition of ACOG and Bayer, and look forward to an ongoing collaboration on Portal development and implementation," Dewey added.
The Feasibility Study will start with the Premenstrual Symptoms Impact Survey (PMSIS), developed by QualityMetric scientists as a screening tool to assess the effects of premenstrual symptoms on daily life. The PMSIS will also be used to determine whether the impact of premenstrual symptoms warrant a doctor's visit. Recent literature has shown that the HRQOL impact of PMS and/or PMDD can be substantial in both physical and mental health domains. For example, the impact to physical health can be comparable to conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A manuscript citing the development and validation of the PMSIS was published in the 2008 March issue of the Journal of Women's Health.
A data repository is also being considered for QualityMetric's Women's Health Portal which would provide health status information beneficial to multiple stakeholders, including consumers/women, healthcare providers, managed care organizations, pharmaceutical companies, payors and decision makers in government, advocacy and health policy. "The Women's Health Portal, as it is being considered by ACOG and Bayer, reflects an innovation in the care and treatment of PMS/PMDD as well as other women's health issues," noted Dr. Yang. "Involving women in their own care and treatment by providing useful and instructive outcomes information is timely and relevant as we struggle to quantify health outcomes with costs and to meaningfully engage the consumer in adherence and compliance of new treatments," Yang concluded.
About QualityMetric Incorporated
QualityMetric works with the world's largest healthcare and life sciences companies to measure health outcomes. Our scientifically validated and standardized consumer health surveys are used around the world to measure the effectiveness of medical treatments and interventions, drugs and biologics, track health improvement or decline, screen populations for disease, and identify future health risks. QualityMetric's patient-reported outcome (PRO) surveys provide scientifically valid assessments of both physical and mental health. Our PROs include the SF-36v2(R), SF-12v2(R), and SF-8(TM) Health Surveys, the SF-10(TM) Health Survey for Children, Asthma Control Test (ACT(TM)), Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6(TM)), and DYNHA(R) Dynamic Health Assessments. Our Outcomes Insight Consulting(TM) Group can develop customized PROs and provide in-depth analysis of the results. QualityMetric's founder and CEO, John E. Ware, Jr., PhD is a thoughtleader in the field of psychometrics and health outcome measurement. Visit us at www.qualitymetric.com.
CONTACT: Jim O'Connor of QualityMetric Incorporated, +1-401-334-8800, ext.
204, joconnor@qualitymetric.com
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