Quality of life assessments in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To provide information about the value of quality of life (QOL) assessments to improve clinical care.


METHODS
Published articles, web resources, clinical practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical assessment of QOL can lead to improved patient outcomes and provide a means of evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
QOL assessment provides nurses with a more holistic view of the patient and improves communication between the patient and health care providers.
Varricchio
Claudette G
CG
Varricchio Consulting, Wakefield, RI 02879, USA. varricchio@comcast.net
Ferrans
Carol Estwing
CE
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015399:Nursing Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires