“Advancing Equity through PROs”

Submission Deadline: 14 July 2026

The Editors of the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes (JPRO) are planning a special issue that will explore how patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can be leveraged to advance health equity, amplify underrepresented voices, and drive inclusive practices in research and clinical care.

We invite manuscripts that investigate how socio-systemic factors—such as racism, classism, ableism, and disparities linked to health-related social needs—influence the development, application, and interpretation of PROs. Submissions that move beyond documenting disparities to demonstrate how equity-focused PRO science can inform interventions, transform health systems, and better represent historically marginalized populations are especially encouraged.

Of particular interest are studies employing intersectional, multilevel frameworks to examine how overlapping forms of discrimination shape PROM development, PRO collection, and their use across healthcare contexts. We also encourage studies that examine measurement invariance, item bias, and item fairness, ensuring PROMs function equitably across diverse groups. Submissions that apply advanced analytical techniques (e.g., qualitative situational analysis, multilevel modelling, latent class analysis, structural equation modelling) and community-partnered approaches that position patients and communities as active collaborators will be given priority.

“PROs in Clinical Registries”

Submission Deadline: 16 July 2026

The Editors of the Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes (JPRO) are planning a special issue that will showcase research on the implementation of PRO tools in registries, the role of PROs in value-based care, enhancing patient engagement through PROs, and data analytics and PROs in clinical research.

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have emerged as a vital component in clinical registries, offering direct insights from patients regarding their health status, treatment effects, and quality of life. These measures deepen understanding of patient experiences and preferences, enabling healthcare providers and researchers to tailor interventions to specific populations. Registries that incorporate PROs can enhance data collection, improve patient engagement, and support more informed clinical decision-making. As patient-centered care gains prominence, integrating PROs into registries has become increasingly essential.

The importance of PROs in clinical registries is amplified by recent advancements in data collection methodologies, analytics, and engagement strategies. This integration enriches data quality and elevates the relevance of clinical research by placing the patient’s voice at the forefront. In the era of value-based care, PROs are critical for evaluating treatment effectiveness, improving satisfaction, and informing policy and practice. As healthcare systems prioritize outcomes that matter to patients, the role of PROs will continue to expand.

“Quality of life in people with mental disorders – beyond global scores”

Submission Deadline: 30 June 2026

The Editors of Quality of Life Research are planning a special issue to increase the awareness of and reliance on the multidimensional nature of health-related quality of life and quality of life ((HR)QoL) by moving beyond global (HR)QoL scores, both in research as well as applied (clinical) settings.

The World Health Organization’s 65th World Health Assembly stated that the global burden of mental disorders accounts for 25–33% of all disabilities and highlighted the substantial impact on family members and carers. The WHO’s “Comprehensive mental health action plan 2013–2030” stresses the lack of adequate health service provision in this area. Research into evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions and mental health services often focus on measures of symptom severity as key outcomes. But policy agendas as well as patients’ views suggest considering impacts beyond pure symptom load including a broad range of experience and a consideration of a dimension of “recovery”. The assessment of (HR)QoL and interventions targeting these constructs have been articulated as a way to improve treatment outcomes during mental health service provision.

The editors are interested in receiving submissions of research and clinical practice using nuanced approaches to (HR)QoL in people living with mental disorders. The editors envisage that such papers will increase our understanding of (HR)QoL in diverse settings and samples, which may also prompt the reshaping of interventions and services to target specific (HR)QoL deficits or increase capabilities.