THE SF-36 HEALTH SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE - AN OUTCOME MEASURE SUITABLE FOR ROUTINE USE WITHIN THE NHS

Objective-To assess the validity, reliability, and acceptability of th e short form 36 (SF36) health survey questionnaire (a shortened versio n of a battery of 149 health status questions) as a measure of patient outcome in a broad sample of patients suffering from four common clin ical conditions. Design-Postal questionnaire, followed up by two remin ders at two week intervals. Setting-Clinics and four training practice s in north east Scotland. Subjects-Over 1700 patients aged 16-86 with one of four conditions-low back pain, menorrhagia, suspected peptic ul cer, or varicose veins-and a comparison sample of 900 members of the g eneral population. Main outcome measures-The eight scales within the S F36 health profile. Results-The response rate exceeded 75% in the pati ent population (1310 respondents). The SF36 satisfied rigorous psychom etric criteria for validity and internal consistency. Clinical validit y was shown by the distinctive profiles generated for each condition, each of which differed from that in the general population in a predic table manner. Furthermore, SF36 scores were lower in referred patients than in patients not referred and were closely related to general pra ctitioners' perceptions of severity. Conclusions-These results provide support for the SF36 as a potential measure of patient outcome within the NHS. The SF36 seems acceptable to patients, internally consistent , and a valid measure of the health status of a wide range of patients . Before it can be used in the new health service, however, its sensit ivity to changes in health status over time must also be tested.