Author:

Ann Bowling

Publisher:

Open University Press

Publication Date:

1995

Edition:

First

Binding:

Paperback

Category:

Non-disease-specific > Quality of Life

Description:

This book presents a comprehensive, albeit more broad than deep, look at issues in measuring health-related quality of life (equal to disease status) and scales to do so. Chapter 1 discusses HRQOL as a concept and issues such as operationalization of the construct, the use of generic vs disease-specific scales, utility assessments, and proxy vs self-ratings of HRQOL. The middle seven chapters discuss issues, methods, and scales to measure HRQOL in specific disease populations, e.g. people with cancer, psychiatric conditions, respiratory conditions, etc. In these chapters it appears that the author has tried diligently to include a description of every scale that has been used in these various populations. In addition to general descriptions of the scales and their use, actual items are given for some of them. The book ends with a very helpful appendix giving the contact information for distributors of about 100 scales.

This really is not a psychometrics text but rather a book to refer to when exploring options for what scales to use to measure HRQOL. It is also the kind of text that a post-doc or junior health services researcher would find extremely useful, reading it cover to cover, for a broad understanding of the topical area. I think this book should be required reading for any post-doc or junior faculty member beginning a career in health services research. For more experienced researchers, it would be a good book to have on the shelf to use a starting point in selected HRQOL scales for use in specific projects. The book makes for an efficient use of time because so much information about measuring HRQOL in specific disease is gathered into one single volume. It obviates the need for exhaustive literature searches, and would enable the researcher to spend his/her time further investigating the psychometric properties of the scale he/she selected.

Types of Information or Instruments:

For each scale the author has subparagraphs on 1) content, administration, and scoring; 2) validity and factor structure; and 3) reliability, along with relevant literature citations. The last chapter of the book is devoted to "comments on measurement issues and sources of information."

Quantity of Instruments:

Approximately 250 different scales are discussed in this book.

Quality of Instrument Descriptions:

The instruments have excellent descriptions.

Quality of Psychometric Information:

The psychometric information given throughout the book is geared toward the entry-level investigator. It provides a basic level of psychometric attributes for each scale.

Scale Accessibility:

Some scales items are provided, but scale author contact information is provided.

Book Provides Actual Scale Items:

Yes.

User-friendly Navigation:

The book has an excellent table of contents, chapter layout, and index.

Other Types of Information:

None.

Hints:

The "scale distributor" appendix looks like it could be a great timesaver.