71 - Measuring Preoperative Health-Related Quality of Life: What Metrics Matter

Abstract

Measurement of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an integral part of healthcare. HRQOL measures are a subset of patient-reported outcomes that measure common ways in which health or healthcare impact upon wellbeing over time. These tools allow us to more closely measure patient perceptions of health and the effects of interventions for spinal disorders. HRQOL tools can be generic health–related or condition-specific, as well as static or dynamic. Several key HRQOL characteristics help guide the choice of HRQOL tool, such as validity and reliability. In addition, other considerations, such as the goal for collecting HRQOLs, the study population, setting, timing, practicality, and administrative requirements for the tool are also important. Researchers using HRQOL tools in international populations may also face issues with differences in language and culture because most HRQOL tools were developed in English and in Western cultures. In the future, multidisciplinary consensus on the choice of HRQOL tools for spine patients would be a worthwhile goal. Electronic delivery of surveys such as web-based or more tablet-based applications may help reduce both respondent and administrative burdens, especially if these scores can be imported into the electronic medical record and tracked over time. Computer-adapted testing will also allow for less survey burden for patients. This more “real-time” implementation of HRQOL assessment would allow for discussion of results during the clinic visit to better inform patient decision-making. Advances in HRQOL tools will facilitate use of these instruments in direct clinical care, as well as in research and public health.