Is Health Related Quality Of Life of people living with chronic conditions related to patient satisfaction with care?
More than 50% of people over the age of 30 live with at least one chronic condition that influences their Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). No uniform framework for conceptualization of HRQOL is currently recognized, although several important domains have been identified. Recently, satisfaction with care has been suggested as an important component to be included in the measures of HRQOL.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this review is to explore what is known from the literature about the relationship between satisfaction with care and HRQOL in patients living with chronic conditions.


METHODS
A scoping review methodology guided this work.


RESULTS
The results support the observation of a positive correlation between satisfaction with care and HRQOL; however, the directionality of the relationships could not be established. Although change in the way we organize and provide treatment might not be expected to lead to a significant change in functional performance of the individuals, we can potentially affect people's perception of disability, and improve their control and coping with the illness.


CONCLUSIONS
The review highlights the importance of using appropriate and psychometrically sound measures when assessing HRQOL. Studies are needed that explore longitudinally the relationships between the care experiences and HRQOL.
School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada. bamme@mcmaster.ca
Elena L
EL
Bamm
Peter
P
Rosenbaum
Seanne
S
Wilkins
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life