Objective
The use of Quality of Life (QoL) -related measures in Alcohol and Other Drug-related research has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, there remains a great deal of confusion about which type of QoL measure is most valid, what each constrict actually measures and the ethicality of the process of QoL measurement and its subsequent transfer to monetary value. This is particularly important in regard to subsequent resource allocation on the basis of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). We aim to review the logic of current QoL -related measurement and determine the most conceptually valid way of measuring QoL.
Methods
This review considers some of the broad principles that concern quality of life assessment. These are discussed in relation to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the measurement of subjective well-being.
Results
We argue that there are serious logical and methodological issues concerning HRQoL measurement, to the extent that the instruments may not be regarded as valid measures of life quality as this term is generally understood.
Conclusions
It is recommended that HRQoL measurement be abandoned in favour of three separate forms of measurement as medical symptoms, subjective well-being and specific dimensions of psychological ill-being.