title: A model for patient participation in quality of life measurement to improve rehabilitation outcomes.
abstract: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measurement is being used to assess end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients' functional status and well-being from the patient's perspective. Research shows that HRQOL can screen for patients at high risk for death, hospitalization, treatment adherence, and depression. This study investigated whether patient goal setting and interdisciplinary collaboration and support could increase HRQOL scores in ESRD patients on chronic maintenance hemodialysis. Differences were found to be statistically significant in two of the MOS Short Form 36 (SF-36) categories (role physical and role emotional) following the intervention at the 95% confidence interval using a t-test statistic. This indicates that the intervention had a positive impact on patient perceptions of their health status. Eighty-seven percent indicated that there had been at least some progress made in reaching the goal. The results of this study support the utilization of HRQOL data at the facility level to improve patient's perceptions of their health status. A further study is needed to examine the long-term impact on HRQOL and other patient outcome measures through consistent use of this intervention.
authors.affiliation: Farmers Branch Dialysis/Fresenius Medical Care North America, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: LeSage
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010358:Patient Participation; D011788:Quality of Life