The RAND-36 measure of health-related quality of life

The RAND-36 is perhaps the most widely used health-related quality of life (HRQoL) survey instrument in the world today. It is comprised of 36 items t hat assess eight health concepts: physical functioning, role limitations ca used by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional prob lems, social functioning. emotional wellbeing, energy/fatigue, pain, and ge neral health perceptions, Physical and mental health summary scores are als o derived from the eight RAND-36 scales. This paper provides example applic ations of the RAND-36 cross-sectionally and longitudinally, provides inform ation on what a clinically important difference is for the RAND-36 scales. and provides guidance for summarizing the RAND-36 in a single number. The p aper also discusses the availability of the RAND-36 in multiple languages a nd summarizes changes that are incorporated in the latest version of the su rvey.