Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

The Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life (SEIQoL) is a phenonomenological approach to the measurement of quality of life (QoL), in which the terms- of-reference are determined by the individual. Little is known about the impact of symptoms on patients' quality of life. The degree to which the symptoms are actually bothersome to the patient is a missing area in symptom assessments. Waldron et al, demonstrated that symptom 'bother' is a separate entity from both symptom frequency and intensity. Quality of life is a dynamic construct. Over the course of time, areas of life meaningful to the patient to shift through a process of adaptation.There appears to a process of psychological adaptation that enables patients cope and maintain good quality of life, even in the face of adversity. This is a concept known as ‘intra subject construct dynamism’ or ‘response shift’. Using an outcome measure as a clinical tool, especially in the area of quality of life (QoL) is uncommon. We hypothesized that individual QoL information may help improve patient’s QoL outcome over time when shared with the multidisciplinary team. Results: Results of seven Higher Theses are explored to reflect on all above views with both published and presented, Nationally and Internationally papers reviewed. Conclusion: Subjective QoL can be measured in Advanced Cancer patients and incorporation of Symptoms, Symptom Bother/ Symptom interference with QoL and Response Shift as well as ‘Using the Outcome as a Clinical tool’ can really help this very vulnerable patient group.

Biography

Email: dympnamwaldron@gmail.com