Within the arena of health care, quality of life is viewed as multidimensional, encompassing emotional, physical, material, and social well-being. Other organizations, however, may also work towards improved global quality of life using a slightly different definition and substantially different methods. Many NGOs do not focus at all on reducing poverty on a national or international scale, but rather attempt to improve the quality of life for individuals or communities. Although many organizations of this type may still talk about fighting poverty, the methods are significantly different. Quality of life has been deemed an important concept in the field of international development because it allows development to be analyzed on a measure that is generally accepted as more comprehensive than standard of living.

For example, common facets of QoL include personal health (physical, mental, and spiritual), relationships, education status, work environment, social status, wealth, a sense of security and safety, freedom, autonomy in decision-making, social-belonging and their physical surroundings. Academic interest in quality of life grew after World War II, when there was increasing awareness and recognition of social inequalities. This provided the impetus for social indicators research and subsequently for research on subjective well-being and quality of life.

The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)

Fifty-two indicators in the areas of basic human needs, foundations of wellbeing, and opportunity show the relative performance of nations. The index uses outcome quality of life definition measures when there is sufficient data available or the closest possible proxies. HRQL research helps people understand how health, disease and treatment impact quality of life. Health related quality of life (HRQL) is the health aspect of quality of life that focuses on people’s level of ability, daily functioning and ability to experience a fulfilling life.

These measures cover a wide range of aspects of life that can be adversely affected by ill health, such as physical functioning, emotional well-being, and ability to undertake work and social activities. Disease-specific measures, such as the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS), the 39-item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), the Endometriosis Health Profile (EHP), and the 40-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-40), are designed for use with specific patient groups and cover dimensions salient to those groups. They also cover issues that may be predominant among patients with particular illnesses (e.g., feelings of loss of control, perceptions of social stigma).

Quality-of-life measures

Methods research can also focus on ways to analyze and interpret data from health assessments. Researchers, clinicians, patients, health policy experts, and others with a vested interest in health care study ways for people around the world to assess and improve their HRQL. The Social Progress Index measures the extent to which countries provide for the social and environmental needs of their citizens.

QoL differs from the former in that standard of living is largely based on economic status and income. Under this conception, other frequently related concepts include freedom, human rights, and happiness. However, since happiness is subjective and difficult to measure, other measures are generally given priority. Quality of life (QoL) is a concept which aims to capture the well-being, whether of a population or individual, regarding both positive and negative elements within the entirety of their existence at a specific point in time.

Theory

For example, there is evidence that outsiders, such as doctors and relatives, view the quality of life of patients with serious disabilities more negatively than do the patients themselves. Also, in some instances, clinical assessments remain stable over time and yet patients report a worsening of their health. Such divergences between the perceptions of those in a given health state and the perceptions of outside observers highlight the limitations of basing assessments purely on observers’ assessments. This can be achieved only if patient views are incorporated into treatment evaluations, thereby ensuring that health and medical care are fully evidence-based. Examples of quality-of-life measures include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).

1. Examples of quality-of-life measures include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
2. Such divergences between the perceptions of those in a given health state and the perceptions of outside observers highlight the limitations of basing assessments purely on observers’ assessments.
3. Using this definition, the World Bank works towards improving quality of life through the stated goal of lowering poverty and helping people afford a better quality of life.
4. Under this conception, other frequently related concepts include freedom, human rights, and happiness.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘quality of life.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. An understanding of QOL and HRQL also enables health program developers and policy makers to better allocate resources.

The patient’s view of his or her own health had long played some role in medical consultation; however, in terms of the health care literature, researchers did not begin collecting and reporting such data systematically until the 1960s. The International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) is a global community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, industry professionals, consultants, and patient research partners advancing health related quality of life research (HRQL). Quality of life, the degree to which an individual is healthy, comfortable, and able to participate in or enjoy life events. The term quality of life is inherently ambiguous, as it can refer both to the experience an individual has of his or her own life and to the living conditions in which individuals find themselves. Whereas one person may define quality of life according to wealth or satisfaction with life, another person may define it in terms of capabilities (e.g., having the ability to live a good life in terms of emotional and physical well-being). A disabled person may report a high quality of life, whereas a healthy person who recently lost a job may report a low quality of life.

Quality of life represents an aspect of health that is different from that generally measured using traditional methods of assessment, such as X-rays, blood tests, and clinical judgment. The latter have tended to dominate within health care and medicine in part because they are seen to be relatively objective. The measurement of quality of life incorporates the subjective views of the patient directly and can provide health care professionals with information that can supplement or, on occasion, contradict traditional assessments.

The World Health Organization explains QoL as a subjective evaluation of one’s perception of their reality relative to their goals as observed through the lens of their culture and value system. The Quality of Life Research Unit at the University of Toronto defines QoL as how much a person can enjoy the valued possibilities of their lives. It is essential to recognize the difference between QoL and other somewhat similar concepts which might get easily confused in the literature, such as the standard of living and health-related quality of life.

Nursing, Allied Health, and Interprofessional Team Interventions

Please note that the translations available via the links opposite (WHOQOL-BREF / WHOQOL-100) were not created by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the event of any inconsistency between the English and the translated version, then the original English versions (in the Publications section below) shall be the binding and authentic versions. Together, we are creating a future in which patient perspective is integral to health research, care and policy.