Paper-based questionnaires are in widespread use for patient-reported outcomes, but they can be an inefficient way of collecting patient data. Electronic patient-reported outcomes are of wide interest and have the potential to drastically change patient data collection for the better. In particular, computer-adaptive tests can reduce the question burden for everyone involved. The US National Institutes of Health has funded the development of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System. This exciting technology is being employed in many disciplines, including orthopaedic research.