Quality of Life Research

, Volume 3, Issue 2, pp 155–162 | Cite as

Opinion polling and decision making: a critical appraisal of quality of life assessment

  • H. J. Sutherland
  • J. E. Till
Commentary
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

The relationship between quality of life (QOL) assessments and decision making, in relation to the delivery of health services, is subjected to critical appraisal. Three levels of decision making in the health care system are taken into account in the analysis. Criticisms of opinion polling provide the basis for the appraisal. Examples of criticisms considered are: Might the use of QOL information be manipulative? Could the interviews or questionnaires used to obtain QOL data influence personal opinions? Are the methods used sometimes defective and/or superficial? Will QOL information always be used in decision making in ways that are ascertainable and justifiable? It is concluded that the time has come for the main focus of critical appraisal in QOL research to shift, from an emphasis on evaluation of the quality of methods used for assessments of QOL, toward an emphasis on the practical usefulness of QOL data.

Key words

Decision making opinion polling quality of life 
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Copyright information

© Rapid Communications of Oxford Ltd 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • H. J. Sutherland
    • 1
    • 2
  • J. E. Till
    • 2
    • 3
  1. 1.Division of Epidemiology and StatisticsOntario Cancer Institute/Princess Margaret HospitalTorontoCanada
  2. 2.Centre for BioethicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada
  3. 3.Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoCanada

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