Definitions of Quality of Life: What Has Happened and How to Move On
Top Cited Papers
- 1 July 2014
- journal article
- Published by American Spinal Injury Association in Topics in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
- Vol. 20 (3), 167-180
- https://doi.org/10.1310/sci2003-167
Abstract
Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome in spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation, but it is unclear how to define and measure it. The aims of this article are to (a) show how the concepts of QOL and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have evolved over time, (b) describe the various ways QOL has been defined and measured, and (c) provide recommendations on how to be as clear and consistent as possible in QOL research. A narrative review of the QOL literature was performed. Roots of the term "quality of life" in health care can be traced back to the definition of health by the World Health Organization in 1948. The use of the word "well-being" in this definition is probably a main factor in the continuing confusion about the conceptualization of QOL. Within the field of SCI rehabilitation, the Dijkers's QOL model, distinguishing between utilities, achievements, and subjective evaluations and reactions, has been very influential and the basis for several reviews and databases. Nevertheless, literature shows that it is still difficult to consistently use the term "quality of life" and categorize QOL measures. Several aspects of QOL that are specific for individuals with SCI have been identified. Researchers should be as specific and clear as possible about the concept and operationalization of QOL in their studies. Readers should not take the term "quality of life" for granted, but should inspect the topic of the study from the actual measures used.Keywords
This publication has 55 references indexed in Scilit:
- A review of preference-based health-related quality of life questionnaires in spinal cord injury researchSpinal Cord, 2012
- Epidemiology of traumatic spinal cord injury: trends and future implicationsSpinal Cord, 2012
- Quality of life instruments and definitions in individuals with spinal cord injury: a systematic reviewSpinal Cord, 2009
- The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)Medical Care, 2007
- Quantitative issues in health-related quality of life assessmentHealth Policy, 1988
- State of science 1986: Quality of life and functional status as target variables for researchJournal of Chronic Diseases, 1987
- Utility approach to measuring health-related quality of lifeJournal of Chronic Diseases, 1987
- Standards for validating health measures: Definition and contentJournal of Chronic Diseases, 1987
- The Hospital Anxiety and Depression ScaleActa Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 1983
- Measuring the quality of life of cancer patientsJournal of Chronic Diseases, 1981