Applying Item Response Theory to Improve Patient Reported Outcome Use in Dermatology Clinical Practice

Project Summary/Abstract
Research: While effective measurement of the patient’s perspective on their illness and its treatment provides
complimentary information to objective disease severity, patient-reported outcomes capturing the lived
experience of chronic inflammatory skin disease are rarely used in routine dermatology practice. Item response
theory techniques can enable more efficient administration of patient-reported outcomes in the clinic, which
can address barriers such as time to administer these measures. The purpose of this study is to 1. prioritize
the outcome domains that are most meaningful to individuals with chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as
acne, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis; 2. evaluate the content validity of a novel Patient-Reported Outcomes
Measurement Information System (PROMIS) profile measuring these domains; 3. field test and evaluate the
validity of a novel PROMIS profile to capture the lived experience of chronic inflammatory skin disease. The
overall objectives of this K23 award proposal are to improve the care of patients with chronic inflammatory skin
diseases by developing a practical patient-reported outcome to measure the lived experience of these skin
diseases, which will enable increased use of patient-reported outcomes in routine clinical care.
Candidate: Dr. Barbieri’s long-term career goal is to become an independent, patient-oriented physician-
scientist, with a focus on chronic inflammatory skin diseases, patient-reported outcomes, and health services
research. His prior training has provided him with a foundational background in these areas.
Environment: During the award period Dr. Barbieri will devote 80% of his time to clinical research and 20% to
the clinical care of patients with chronic inflammatory skin disease such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and
psoriasis. Dr. Margolis and Dr. Pusic, the candidate’s primary mentors, have directly supervised the training of
numerous successful junior faculty members and Dr. Barbieri will benefit from his experience and enthusiasm
for cultivating the careers of junior scientists. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital offers a rich training
environment, including resources and expertise available in the Clinical Unit for Research Innovation and Trials
(CUReIT) and Patient-Reported Outcomes, Value & Experience (PROVE) Center. Combined with the
knowledge and expertise available in the Department of Dermatology and in Dr. Margolis’s and Dr. Pusic’s
labs, these opportunities will provide an unparalleled opportunity to begin a career as a physician scientist.
Career Development: With the support of his advisory committee, Dr. Barbieri’s training will focus on
advanced psychometric techniques and qualitative research to develop a strong knowledge base with respect
to patient-reported outcome development and validation. Completion of the proposed research and career
development plan will give Dr. Barbieri the knowledge and skills to achieve scientific independence, transition
to a tenure track faculty position, and build a strong foundation for a career in patient-oriented clinical research.

Grant Number: 5K23AR078930-04
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: John Barbieri