Health-related Quality of Life Measurement

Sir, Measurements are very important in all activities so as to differentiate and rank among themselves. Health care services are generally administered by professionals but are received by patients and so they may have different perceptions. Doctors who are providers of health care are almost satisfied with the clinical outcomes. On the contrary, the patients are more sensitive to the treatments in terms of whether it makes any difference for them as for the quality of life. They also wish if the treatments could be economically affordable. Traditionally, health care was viewed successful if clinical goals were met, and seldom point of view of the patients' choices was given any importance. According to the WHO definition of health states, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity Hence, patients' perception about the status of their current health and its direct measurement has become vital among researchers measuring outcomes. Measuring patients' perception and the extent to which they can actually function in their daily activities are very important when the main objective of treatment is to improve how the patient feels.