Patient-reported experiences and patient-reported experience measures in primary care, home care, and community settings. A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are increasingly used to evaluate person-centred and value-based healthcare. However, evidence regarding their application in primary, home, and community care remains fragmented. Objective To map how patient-reported experiences (PREs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) have been conceptualized, measured, and used across primary, home, and community care settings. Methods The review followed Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to July 2025. Peer-reviewed studies investigating PREs or PREMs in primary, home, or community care were included. Data were synthesized using descriptive statistics, thematic content analysis, and narrative synthesis. Results Overall, 168 studies were included, predominantly quantitative and conducted in high-income countries. Among them, 105 exclusively used validated PREMs, 45 used ad hoc instruments, and 14 combined both approaches. The most frequently assessed domains were communication and information, access to services, patient–professional relationships, quality of care, continuity, care coordination, and patient involvement. Equity-related domains were less consistently represented, while pediatric populations, older adults, and low- and middle-income countries were underrepresented. Discussion PREM use in primary, home, and community care is increasing but remains heterogeneous in terms of conceptualization, measurement approaches, and domains assessed. Greater standardization of PREMs and broader inclusion of equity-sensitive domains are needed to strengthen the relevance and comparability of patient experience assessment across care settings. Conclusion PREMs offer substantial potential to support person-centred quality improvement beyond hospital settings, but their current use does not yet fully capture the diversity of patient experiences. Future research should prioritize standardized and context-sensitive measurement approaches, greater attention to equity, and stronger representation of underserved populations and low- and middle-income settings. Systematic Review Registration https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/R5SQF, Identifier: 10.17605/OSF.IO/R5SQF.