Defining and Assessing Quality of Life

Abstract

1;.1s article Is a literature review, undertaken to have a fuller understanding of what Is meant by the term 'quality of life' and how It Is measured or 8S88S8ed. The literature review shows that the term Is not clearly defined. It Is suggested that occupational therapists each have their own definition and may use the term too narrowly: a satisfactory quality of life means something different to all of us, whether we be occupational therapist or client. This suggests that discussion with a client about his/her Individual qualIty of life and what this means to him/her Is probably more realistic than trying to measure aspects of It.

Self‐perceived quality of life of Chinese elderly people in Hong Kong

“…To a limited extent, occupational therapists have also been involved in work determining the constituents of the global QOL concept (McKenna, 1992;Hammell, 1995;Mayers, 1995). An understanding of those facets of human experience and performance that are considered important contributors to this concept would enable therapists to better target and tailor interventions to improve a client's quality of life.…”

Living with Muscular Dystrophy: Illness Experience, Activities of Daily Living, Coping, Quality of Life and Rehabilitation

“…Thus the term quality of life is closely related to 'subjective satisfaction' and 'a sense of well-being' (Mayers 1995). Quality of life is subjective and for this reason, self-report is considered to be the most valuable method for acquiring data (Bach 1995, Post et al 1999.…”

Quality of life of stroke survivors who attend a stroke club and their personal caregivers

“…Interestingly, Mayers (1995) reports that patients are more able to commence adaptation leading to improved quality of life when the occupational therapist engages the client in discussion of what is important to their quality oflife. Radomski (1995) states, "from its beginnings, and at its contemporary core, the occupational therapy profession has held good quality of life as the super ordinate aim of therapy" (p. 487).…”

“…Despite widespread acceptance of the importance of studying quality of life, there is no universally accepted definition (Chung, Killingworth & Nolan, 1997;Mayers, 1995). A literature search done by Schumacher, Olschewski and Schulgen (1991) on quality of life in cancer and oncology patients found considerable heterogeneity in the way quality of life is dealt with in the literature.…”

“…Wood-Dauphinee and Kuchler (1992) found few articles published on quality of life within rehabilitation journals. Similarly, in a literature search done on quality of life and Occupational Therapy, Mayers (1995) found variable definitions or an absence of definitions among the few articles found.…”