title: Use of quality-of-life scores in care planning in a hospice setting: the theme of revelation.
abstract: This article follows an earlier one in which measurement of quality of life (QOL) was used in developing patient-care plans and to identify differences in QOL assessment between nurses and patients as an aid to reflective practice. The present article discusses how the theme of revelation emerged from the insights of those in the study. The process of measuring, and subsequent use of, QOL scores increased understanding between nurse and patients. Some nurses were surprised at how different their perception of a patient's QOL was from that of the patient. Completing QOL questionnaires also gave some patients new insights. How such revelations might be used to improve QOL are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Mary Potter Hospice, Newtown, Wellington South, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*