An introduction to quality of life assessment in oncology: the value of measuring patient-reported outcomes.

This article provides an introduction to the concepts of quality of life (QOL) research, including the documented uses and benefits of patient-reported outcomes. Health-related QOL data have been useful in clinical care studies, clinical trials, and cost-effectiveness studies. In the area of cancer treatment, such health-related QOL data have been influential on treatment decisions and cancer care. In addition, this article addresses the challenges resulting from more frequent use of patient-reported outcomes by researchers and physicians. In particular, the impact of the response-shift phenomenon is examined, as well as the time pressure, clinical constraints, and suboptimal communication skills that may hinder the transfer of information from patient to physician and/or researcher.