title: Quality of life as an outcome variable in the management of cancer pain.
abstract: Valid measurement tools are needed by oncology researchers to help in the evaluation of the effectiveness of pain relief methods used in the treatment of cancer patients. A study was conducted to assess the validity and reliability of a tool designed to evaluate quality of life as a measure of pain management outcome in the individual patient. Items in the tested quality of life survey represented the areas of psychologic well-being, physical well-being, general and specific symptom control, and degree of social support. Using the test instrument, two oncology nurses interviewed subjects in three groups, each consisting of 50 subjects: cancer patients with pain, cancer patients without pain, and subjects with no cancer. Statistical analysis of the interview results revealed that the instrument has test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and interrater reliability, as well as content and construct validity for the major factors, psychologic well-being, worry, and nutrition. Further revision of the instrument is needed to restructure its subscales. The quality of life tool will enable researchers to evaluate a treatment regarding not only its effect on pain intensity but also its impact on the total individual.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Ferrell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wisdom
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wenzl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D012944:Social Support