title: The Sickness Impact Profile as a measure of the health status of noncognitively impaired nursing home residents.
abstract: The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) is a multidimensional, behaviorally based measure of the health status that has been successfully used in a wide range of applications. The characteristics of this measure have not been assessed with nursing home residents. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, reliability (internal consistency), validity, and comprehensiveness of the SIP as a measure of the health status of a selected group of nursing home residents. One hundred sixty-eight veterans residing in community and VA nursing homes responded to a questionnaire consisting of the SIP, Index of Activities of Daily Living, Barthel Index, Life Satisfaction Index Z, and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale. In general, the respondents correctly interpreted instructions; reliability and validity were supported; and the SIP was found to provide a comprehensive assessment of physical function. Adding a measure of psychologic well-being to a study protocol involving this population may, however, provide additional useful information regarding this construct.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center, WA 98108.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rothman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inui
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes