Quality of Life Measurement Among Persons with Chronic Mental Illness: A Critique of Measures and Methods

Prepared by:
Mark J. Atkinson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Director, Evaluation Services
Department of Psychiatry
University of Calgary & Foothills Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
&
Sharon Zibin, M.Sc.
Doctoral Programme, Developmental Psychology
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

For:
Systems for Health Directorate
Health Promotion and Programs Branch
Health Canada

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface
Executive Summary

1. Introduction
   1.1 Preamble
   1.2 Organization of the Report
   1.3 Literature Search and Review Strategies

2. Quality of Life Instruments, Design and Purpose
   2.1 Domains of Quality of Life
   2.2 Measurement Specifications

3. Psychometric Comparisons of Instruments and Methods
   3.1 Instrument Reliability
   3.2 Instrument Validity
   3.3 Implementation and Evaluation Methods

4. Central Issues Around Quality of Life Evaluation
   4.1 Defining Productivity Units: Service versus Therapeutic Effect
   4.2 Population Health Status
   4.3 Economics Policy and Planning

5. Evaluative Review of Quality of Life Instruments
   5.1 Quality of Life Instruments
   5.2 Future Trends and Potential Directions

References

Appendices
A. Search Terms
B. Definitions of Table Headings
        Domain Category Definitions
        Specifications Table Categories
        Evaluative Dimensions Table Categories
C. Other Readings

Tables
1. Domains measured by Selected QoL Insruments
2. Specifications Table
3. Evaluative Dimensions of QoL Instruments
4. Psychometric Evaluation of QoL Instruments
5. A Guide to Evaluating Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Measures

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Également disponible en français sous le titre : Évaluation de la qualité de vie des personnes atteintes de troubles mentaux chroniques : Analyse critique des mesures et des méthodes

© Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1996
Cat. No. H-39-390/1996E
ISBN 0-662-25002-8

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data

Atkinson, Mark J. (Mark Jonathan), 1958-

Quality of Life Measurement Among Persons with Chronic Mental Illness: A Critique of Measures and Methods

Issued also in French under the title: Évaluation de la qualité de vie des personnes atteintes de troubles mentaux chroniques : Analyse critique des mesures et des méthodes

Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0-662-25002-8
Cat. No. H-39-390/1996E

1. Mentally ill — Canada — Social conditions — Evaluation.
2. Mentally ill — Canada — Economic conditions — Evaluation.
3. Mentally ill — Care — Canada — Evaluation.
4. Chronically ill — Canada — Social conditions — Evaluation.
5. Chronically ill — Canada — Economic conditions — Evaluation.
6. Chronically ill — Care — Canada — Evaluation.
7. Quality of life — Canada — Evaluation.
I. Zibin, Sharon Lisbeth.
II. Canada. Mental Health Unit.
III. Title.
RC480.53A84   1996              362.2            C96-980349-4