How to measure quality of life

Abstract

Throughout this book, we have considered the assessment of inputs and outputs of health care systems. Furthermore, we have suggested that measuring outputs is not enough. The goal of health care is to provide value for patients. This requires that we show the value of investments in terms of patient outcomes. But how can patient outcomes be quantified? In this chapter we consider the quantification of patientreported outcomes. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.