title: The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection.
abstract: A 36-item short-form (SF-36) was constructed to survey health status in the Medical Outcomes Study. The SF-36 was designed for use in clinical practice and research, health policy evaluations, and general population surveys. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale that assesses eight health concepts: 1) limitations in physical activities because of health problems; 2) limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems; 3) limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems; 4) bodily pain; 5) general mental health (psychological distress and well-being); 6) limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems; 7) vitality (energy and fatigue); and 8) general health perceptions. The survey was constructed for self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older, and for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by telephone. The history of the development of the SF-36, the origin of specific items, and the logic underlying their selection are summarized. The content and features of the SF-36 are compared with the 20-item Medical Outcomes Study short-form.
authors.affiliation: Health Institute, Boston, MA 02111.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ware
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Sherbourne
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012380:Role; D012647:Self-Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires