title: Key problems in using health status measures.
abstract: This article describes the development of health status measures and the benefits to be gained from their use. The difficulties in conceptualising and quantifying health are described. The authors conclude that a critical approach to the use of health status measures is needed if these instruments are to be of benefit to health care and health research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Victor
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results