Evaluating quality-of-life measures for clinical trials in Germany.
In spite of an increased discussion of psychosocial outcomes of medical treatments, quality-of-life assessments in clinical trials conducted in Germany are rare. Barriers to the development of quality-of-life-related evaluation research include conceptual, methodologic, practical, and political issues. Each issue is characterized by specific problem areas and by current approaches to problem solving; both are affected by crosscultural considerations. This paper analyzes state-of-the-art in quality-of-life research in Germany with regard to four key issues and presents original work in a biometrical center as an example.
Bullinger
M
M
Biometric Centre for Therapeutic Studies, Munich, Germany.
Hasford
J
J
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D005858:Germany; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D011057:Politics; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D012962:Sociology, Medical; D016896:Treatment Outcome