HRQOL and subjective well-being: noncomplementary forms of outcome measurement

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. It is argued 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. It is recommended that HRQOL measurement be abandoned in favor of three separate forms of measurement as medical symptoms, subjective well-being and specific dimensions of psychological ill-being.