Validation Study for the Brief Measure of Quality of Life and Quality of Care: A Questionnaire for the National Random Sampling Hospital Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 622-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megumi Shimizu ◽  
Daisuke Fujisawa ◽  
Miho Kurihara ◽  
Kazuki Sato ◽  
Tatsuya Morita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Patients With Cancer

Background: To monitor quality of life (QOL) for patients with cancer in a large population-based survey, we developed a short QOL and quality-of-care (QOC) questionnaire. To determine the validity and reliability of this new questionnaire for evaluating QOL in patients with cancer. Methods: Outpatients and inpatients at National Cancer Center Hospital East were administered a questionnaire, including the following items—the short QOL and QOC questionnaire (physical distress, pain, emotional distress, walk burden, and need for help with self-care; perceived general health status; and satisfaction with medical care and treatment by doctor, communication with doctor, support by health-care staff other than doctor, care for physical symptoms such as pain, and psychological care), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General (FACT-G), the Cancer Care Evaluation Scale (CCES) for patients, and demographic and medical data. We then readministered the short QOL and QOC questionnaire. Results: In total, 329 outpatients and 239 inpatients completed the survey (response rates: 80% and 90%, respectively). Total Cronbach α for the short QOL and QOC questionnaire was 0.83 for outpatients and 0.82 for inpatients. Items of the questionnaire correlated with cancer-specific measurements, FACT-G, and CCES. Intraclass correlation coefficients for all items of the questionnaire were 0.79 and 0.89 in each setting. Items of QOL and QOC did not correlate with each other. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the short QOL and QOC questionnaire appear sufficient. This questionnaire enables continuous monitoring of patient QOL in large population-based surveys.

Commentary on “Factors influencing the quality of care learning disabled patients receive in hospital”

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-96
Author(s):  
Tricia Handley
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Care ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Learning Disabled ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Acute Hospitals ◽  
Disabled Patients

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on Durrant’s paper “Factors influencing the quality of care learning disabled patients receive in hospital”. Design/methodology/approach The commentary identifies examples of practice in acute hospital provision consistent with the themes outlined in Durrant’s paper. Findings The themes identified in Durrant’s paper are easily recognisable. At the same time, there is a need to more fully understand the complexity of acute hospitals and to involve mainstream health-care staff in development and delivery of training on learning disability. Consideration should be given to the development of new specialist roles. Originality/value The commentary provides a practice perspective arising from wide clinical experience.

The role of health support workers in the ageing crisis

2020 ◽  
pp. 205-224
Author(s):  
Miwako Hosoda
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Health Care Staff ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Professional Health ◽  
Long Term Care Insurance ◽  
Health Support

Preparing for an adequate support and care system and for health support workers to meet the needs of the elderly in an ageing world is an urgent issue. Japan has a population with the longest life expectancy. Previously family members took care of the elderly and the disabled. However, today care is more often provided by non-family members. As a result, the long-term care insurance system was implemented. Under the system, certain services are provided by qualified professional health care staff as defined in classic neo-Weberian terms. However, to realise an appropriate quality of life for the elderly and disabled, more services are often required. This results in additional services being performed by non-professional health support workers and home helpers, which raises concerns about low-waged female labour and the practice of health and medical care by unqualified persons. However, such personalised care helps bring about a higher quality of life for the elderly and disabled, especially since educational programmes are now being provided. In this chapter, the roles of qualified and non-qualified health support workers are examined and relevant issues and their solutions are explored in a Japanese and wider global context.

Multimorbidity patterns and quality of life across European populations: Results from SHARE database

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T T Makovski ◽  
B Poblador Plou ◽  
M Schnell ◽  
S Stranges ◽  
M Zeegers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Disease Patterns ◽  
Suboptimal Care ◽  
Sectional Analysis

Abstract An increasing number of people living with multimorbidity may receive suboptimal care since health systems are not well prepared to respond to their complex needs. Identifying which conditions most commonly group together could support better care for patients with multiple diseases. This is particularly critical for conditions that have the most deteriorating effect on quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to: 1) identify multimorbidity patterns in Europe and 2) assess their impact on QoL. This was a cross-sectional analysis performed on the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) among adults aged 50+, in eighteen countries (n = 67,179). The Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization and Pleasure (CASP-12v1) scale assessed QoL. Exploratory factor analysis (using 17 conditions) based on tetra-choric correlations, was applied to identify multimorbidity patterns. Associations between patterns and QoL were estimated with multilevel mixed-effects linear regression. The analyses were adjusted for socio-economic, clinical and psycho-social factors, and stratified by sex. Three multimorbidity patterns were found: 1) cardio-metabolic [frequency in men (27.7%); women (25.9%)], 2) psycho-geriatric [1.4%; 0.3%] and 3) mixed [11.7%; 17.4%]. Sample adequacy was confirmed by the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test [0.81; 0.84, for men and women, respectively]. The patterns showed slight sex differences. The frequency of all patterns increased with age, while patterns overlapped significantly in the population. The psycho-geriatric pattern had the most deteriorating effect on QoL [-4.5(95%CI:-6.2;-2.8) for men; -5.0(95%CI: -9.5; -0.5) for women]. Recognizing the most common disease patterns may allow more targeted planning and provision of care, including development of clinical guidelines, enhancing collaboration between health professionals, and creation of prevention plans to reduce complications and preserve the best QoL for patients with multimorbidity. Key messages First large population-based study on multimorbidity patterns and their impact on QoL across Europe, using SHARE database. The findings can serve to support better care for multimorbid patients.

scholarly journals Quality-of-Life Assessment in Palliative Care

1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C. Mcmillan
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Life Index ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life Index ◽  
Further Development

Background Understanding the effects of cancer on the quality of life of affected patients is critical to clinical research as well as to optimal management and care. Methods Nine instruments for assessing quality of life in patients with cancer are identified, and their effectiveness during palliative care is analyzed. Results Most of the instruments included physical, functional, and symptom control, as well as psychologic and social aspects. Financial and spiritual aspects were included less often. While all but two of the instruments had adequate validity and reliability data published, only two - the Spitzer Quality-of-Life Index and the Hospice Quality-of-Life Index - were designed and validated for palliative care populations. Conclusions Although a variety of instruments is currently available, none is ideal for all palliative care settings. Further development and refinement of instruments are needed.

scholarly journals Quality of Life and Psychosocial Impacts of the Different Restrictive Measures during One Year into the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Cancer in Italy: An Ecological Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7161
Author(s):  
Maria Ferrara ◽  
Elisa Langiano ◽  
Lavinia Falese ◽  
Antonella De Marco ◽  
Elisabetta De Vito
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Emergency Situation ◽  
Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Restrictive Measures

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the perceived quality of life and the psychosocial impact of the various restrictive measures due to COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients in Italy, as well as their perception of the relationship with doctors and caregivers. Methods: This study compares three population-based observational studies of patients with cancer carried out in three consecutive time periods characterized by different restrictive measures using a self-administered online questionnaire. Results: Among the basic needs, psychological and medical support appeared to be prevalent; so did the need for safe transportation to reach the treatment facilities. Internet was the main source of information on the coronavirus. Although 74.6% of the total number of patients did not give up hospital therapies, 34.8% complained about variations in the continuity of treatment, with different percentages in the three samples. The majority of the sample (73.8%) was worried of being infected, but 21.9% did not share their anxieties and worries with others. The multivariate regression analysis showed that a pessimistic perception of quality of life was influenced by living in extra-urban areas and alone (OR = 1.4; OR = 2.1); while a perception of a reduced physical function result affected by the state of anxiety and stress (OR = 1.9) and the difficulties in continuity of medical assistance (OR = 2.2). The scoring of the SF-12 in the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores showed a fluctuating trend throughout the three periods investigated. Conclusions: It is important for health professionals, caregivers and social workers to identify the new needs in order to enhance home care interventions, personalize and optimize care, ensure continuity of care and guarantee a high quality of life even in a health emergency situation.

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