Mapping health related quality of life in health policy & practice
Although the concept of health related quality of life (HRQoL) can be traced back to the 1970s, it has only recently entered health policy and practice beyond the area of clinical trials. HIV Outcomes therefore mapped the application of HRQoL over the last 20 years by European Union institutions and agencies, as well as by global health organisations present in WHO Europe.
Key findings
There is widespread use of HRQoL both in EU legislation and non-legislative documents (e.g., technical reports, annexes accompanying legislation, etc.)
Traditionally used in the area of health technology assessment (HTA), the use of the concept has recently expanded for people to self-report their health outcomes
Most definitions subscribe to the WHO definition of health (1948) and concur on its subjective and multi-disciplinary nature, even if QoL / HRQoL are used often interchangeably
The concept is well anchored beyond the EU institutions in the context of OECD and is making inroads into the WHO work.