A COMPARISON OF PATIENT, NURSE, AND PHYSICIAN ASSESSMENT OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN END-STAGE RENAL-DISEASE

Health-related quality of life outcomes can be used to assess the impa ct of chronic disease on the functioning and well-being of patients wi th end-stage renal disease. Incongruities in perceptions of quality of life between patients and caregivers can influence care planning and decision-making. Health-related quality of life was quantified in 30 h emodialysis patients by using the RAND 36-Item Health Survey. Primary nurses and physicians also rated patient quality of life based on thei r perceptions of patient health status. Significant differences in per ceptions between patients and the two caregiver groups were demonstrat ed in four of eight health status domains. Differences between caregiv er groups were found in one domain. Results indicate that caregivers t end to underestimate the adaptive capabilities of patients in coping w ith chronic illness. Patient perceptions of quality of life must be in cluded in health-care decision-making, and caregivers should be aware of potential biases resulting from incongruent perceptions.