Quality of life assessments in clinical practice

Claudette G Varricchio; Carol Estwing Ferrans

doi:10.1016/j.soncn.2009.11.003

Quality of life assessments in clinical practice

Semin Oncol Nurs. 2010 Feb;26(1):12-7. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2009.11.003.

Authors

Claudette G Varricchio¹, Carol Estwing Ferrans

Affiliation

¹ Varricchio Consulting, Wakefield, RI 02879, USA. varricchio@comcast.net

PMID: 20152574
DOI: 10.1016/j.soncn.2009.11.003

Abstract

Objectives: To provide information about the value of quality of life (QOL) assessments to improve clinical care.

Data sources: Published articles, web resources, clinical practice.

Conclusion: Clinical assessment of QOL can lead to improved patient outcomes and provide a means of evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.

Implications for nursing practice: QOL assessment provides nurses with a more holistic view of the patient and improves communication between the patient and health care providers.

MeSH terms

Clinical Competence*
Communication
Evidence-Based Nursing
Holistic Health
Humans
Neoplasms / nursing
Neoplasms / psychology
Nurse's Role
Nurse-Patient Relations
Nursing Assessment / methods*
Nursing Research
Oncology Nursing / methods*
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Quality of Life* / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires