Identification of domains relevant to health-related quality of life in patients undergoing major surgery.
This study examined themes relevant to health-related quality of life as identified by patients undergoing major surgery and by health care providers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 patients undergoing major abdominal, cardiac, orthopedic, thoracic, or vascular surgical procedures and 33 health professionals from various disciplines. A total of 58 themes were identified by content analysis. These themes were categorized into 6 domains. These were: physical well-being (14 themes), emotional well-being (13 themes), concern about quality of care (12 themes), social well-being (12 themes), cognitive preparation (4 themes), and spiritual well-being (3 themes). In general, we found that most aspects of health-related quality of life were common across various major surgical procedures and between patients and health care providers. However, when we examined the coverage of these themes in seven commonly-used health-related quality of life instruments, we found that many of the most frequently mentioned themes were not assessed with the available measures. A new evaluative instrument tailored to patients undergoing major surgery may therefore be warranted.
Morris
Daniel B
DB
Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, 501 Smyth Road, 201, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada.
Wilson
Keith G
KG
Clinch
Jennifer J
JJ
Ammerman
Darcy J
DJ
Fergusson
Dean
D
Graham
Ian D
ID
Porath
Amy J
AJ
Offman
Alia
A
Boland
Isabelle
I
Watters
James
J
Hébert
Paul C
PC
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life