title: Does what we measure matter? Quality-of-life defined by adolescents with brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if domains included in popular measurement systems (e.g. the Peds QL™) reflect the adolescent survivor of a brain injury's sense of QoL and explore this relationship in reference to an emerging model of wellbeing in the adolescent with TBI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed methods; adolescent QoL assessed using the PedsQL™ self-report and a semi-structured interview created by the lead author. Adolescent self-report was compared to adolescent narratives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten adolescents participated. Adolescent PedsQL™ total was within normal limits. Adolescents reported that changes identified by the PedsQL were not important and did not impact on their sense of QoL. The importance on social components of QoL-as opposed to cognitive-provide additional support of the emerging model of wellbeing in adolescents with TBI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PedsQL can identify changes post-TBI, but fails to consider whether these changes are relevant to the adolescent. Alternate methods of exploring QoL-which emphasize the interaction of social networks and friendships, should be considered to avoid an oblique view of QoL outcomes after TBI.
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children , Toronto, Ontario , Canada .
authors: Ashley
authors: A
authors: Di Battista
authors: Celia
authors: C
authors: Godfrey
authors: Cheryl
authors: C
authors: Soo
authors: Cathy
authors: C
authors: Catroppa
authors: Vicki
authors: V
authors: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescents/youth; mixed methods; quality-of-life; traumatic brain injury