scholarly journals The Quality of Life Definition: Where Are We Going?

Uro ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
Tommaso Cai ◽  
Paolo Verze ◽  
Truls E. Bjerklund Johansen

The quality of life (QoL) concept now includes new aspects related to patients’ well-being because QoL has become more of a personal perception than an an objective and measurable entity. Here, we discuss the principal aspects of QoL-related aspects in urology and andrology by using a narrative review. Some aspects concerning the QoL are essential when managing uro-andrological patients. The aim of treatments should not only include the absence of disease or symptoms relief but also the improvement of a patient’s QoL with regard to his/her internal status and relationship with others. In this sense, any therapeutic approach should be based on the patient’s perspectives and not only on the instrumental and laboratory findings. Finally, we discussed the role of a patient’s sexual partner adding an extra dimension to the patient-centerd approach as part of the QoL concept in andrology.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Gian Piero Turchi ◽  
Marta Silvia Dalla Riva ◽  
Luisa Orrù ◽  
Eleonora Pinto

Starting from statistical data derived from the oncological field, some articles have highlighted the importance of communication in the patient–caregiver dyad and have considered the various roles involved in a cancer diagnosis situation. Thus, the question of how to intervene in terms of “quality of life” from the time of diagnosis to the recovery or death of a cancer patient, beyond the sanitary and physical dimensions, has become relevant. Therefore, the present narrative review aims to offer an overview of the state of the art in terms of the psychological treatment modalities of cancer patients, from the diagnosis to the post-surgery period. A total of 67 articles were collected and analyzed, in relation to (1) psychological constructs employed in the oncological field, (2) intervention models and (3) quality of life and well-being measurement and evaluation tools. We described these articles, differentiating between those focusing on the role of (1) the patient, (2) the caregiver, (3) the patient–caregiver dyad and (4) healthcare professional roles. The oncological diagnosis and its repercussions in the lives of the patient and caregiver were explored and critical aspects that emerged from the literature were highlighted. In conclusion, the analysis allowed some considerations about the need to define research protocols and useful management strategies for increasing the overall health of patients with cancer diagnoses and the people who surround them.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59
Author(s):  
Sarmishtha Bhattacharyya ◽  
Susan Mary Benbow

Assistive technologies have a role in supporting both formal and informal carers of people with dementia, and in maintaining the independence, and quality of life of both people with dementia and their carers. The authors report a narrative review of the use of technological interventions to empower the carers of people with dementia, and relate this to a model of ageing well. They argue that this highlights the importance of empowering and connecting with carers in order to increase their participation and connection in the care of their relative/client; and conclude that both empowerment and connection contribute to maintaining autonomy and well-being of both carers and people with dementia. Technological interventions should not be used as alternatives to connection. The emphasis in practice should be on empowering and connecting with both carers and people with dementia.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerhard Gründer ◽  
Philipp Bauknecht ◽  
Stefan Klingberg ◽  
Karolina Leopold ◽  
Michael Paulzen ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction There are many possible treatment goals for patients with schizophrenia. Two major perspectives on treatment goals are the patient’s and the physician’s perspective. Patient-centered treatment mandates that an individual patient’s treatment goals are taken into account when treatment is planned. In this narrative review, we address the commonalities and differences of the patient’s and physician’s perspectives. Methods We searched for literature on treatment goals for patients with schizophrenia from the last 10 years. Results Fifty-two relevant records were identified, 4 of which directly compare patient’s and physician’s perspectives. Two further articles used the same set of goals to ask patients or physicians for their assessment. Discussion Agreement between patients and physicians regarding valuation of treatment goals was high. However, physicians tended to put more emphasis on the classical “textbook” goals of symptom resolution and functioning, while patients stressed well-being and quality of life more. Results on treatment goals from patients are difficult to generalize, since recruiting representative patient samples is challenging and patient subgroups may have differing priorities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (08) ◽  
pp. 796-801
Author(s):  
Silvia Fasoli ◽  
Giorgio Gandini ◽  
Anna Giuffrida ◽  
Massimo Franchini

AbstractPhysical activity provides many benefits in patients with congenital bleeding disorders. Patients with hemophilia are encouraged to participate in exercise and sports, especially those patients receiving prophylaxis. Several publications and guidelines have explored this issue in hemophilia patients, evaluating in particular the impact of physical activity on patients' well-being and quality of life. The other rare congenital bleeding disorders are less studied; they are heterogeneous in terms of clinical bleeding phenotype, incidence of hemarthrosis, and arthropathy. Furthermore, prophylaxis in these patients is less common than in hemophilia patients, which must be considered when choosing the type of physical and sporting activity. In this review, the authors have analyzed the literature focusing their attention on those rare coagulation disorders that may be complicated by arthropathy and the role of exercise and sports in this context.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-50
Author(s):  
Przewłocki Sławomir ◽  
Ronikier Aleksander

Abstract Introduction: Terminal patients require proper care standards and professional team of doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, educators, psychologists and clergy directly involved in mitigating the suffering of a dying person. A physiotherapist as a member of such a team should be focused on sustaining the patient’s quality of life until the end at the level relevant to the patient’s health state. This quality of life should be perceived integrally as a combination of procedures reducing pain and physical suffering as well as improving physical fitness and mental well-being. Material and methods:The aim of the research was to define the role of physiotherapy in assessing mental and physical state of terminal patients; to determine the applicability of ADLs, GDS and BDI in diagnosing the validity and usefulness of tiresome physiotherapeutic procedures for terminal patients and to assess the applied tests in predicting terminal patients’ survival time. The research was carried out on the turn of 2012 and 2013 in the group of 103 subjects (74 females - 71.8% and 29 males - 28.2%) For the research the following methods were used: - Activity of Daily Living scale (ADL)- - Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) - Questionnaire regarding their willingness to participate in physiotherapeutic procedures. Results: In the research the range of diagnostic possibilities of the applied scales and tests, correlations between theses scales and tests as well as correlations between them and subjects’ age and survival time were assessed. Additionally, a questionnaire survey was carried out which assessed the willingness to participate in physiotherapeutic procedures. Strong stress, terminal state of the patient and generalisation of symptoms brought about the fact that only 14.6% of patients declared their willingness to participate in physiotherapeutic procedures. Conclusions: 1. Implementing physiotherapeutic and psychological diagnostic tests in everyday terminal care makes it easier to assess survival time of terminal patients and significantly improves their life and dying with dignity 2. Proper understanding of the symptoms of dying must serve as a basis for organising adequate activities compliant with the progress of a disease of a terminal patient without disturbing the process of dying. 3. Modern physiotherapy in terminal care should limit the range of physiotherapeutic procedures and physical therapy while increasing psychological care in this population.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhui Dai ◽  
Xuehui Sang ◽  
Rashid Menhas ◽  
Xia Xu ◽  
Sumaira Khurshid ◽  
...  

Background: Highly infectious respiratory disease COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread worldwide. Different measures have been adopted worldwide to contain the COVID-19, and these measures have various impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (CP) and lockdown policy on physical health (PH)–psychological health (PsH), physical activity (PA), and overall well-being (OW) in the context of HRQoL, exploring the mediating role of emotional regulation (ER).Method: The current study was conducted in two provincial cities of China. An online survey was conducted in both the cities to collect the data. After quantifying the data, a total of 2,200 respondents data were analyzed through appropriate statistical techniques.Results: The study results indicate that CP was found significantly and negatively related to PH (β = −0.157, t = 9.444, p < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between CP and PsH (β = 0.779, t = 45.013, p < 0.001). The third prediction revealed a significant negative relationship between the CP and OW (β = −0.080, t = 5.261, p < 0.001). The CP and PA had a significant negative relationship (β = −0.047, t = 3.351, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The PH, PsH, and OW of the Chinese people were affected due to the CP and lockdown measures. It is suggested that ER intervention reduces the negative psychological impacts for improving quality of life. ER can function one's sentiments in their social environment effectively for quality of life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 162 (49) ◽  
pp. 1968-1976

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés: A coeliakia és a kapcsolódó terhek befolyásolják az érintettek életminőségét. A krónikus betegségekkel járó stigmatizáció hozzájárul a fizikai tünetek és a lelki panaszok fokozódásához, valamint az egészségmagatartás csökkenéséhez. Mindez szükségessé teszi a krónikus megbetegedések kapcsán a stigmatizáció felismerését, felmérését és kezelését. Célkitűzések: Fő célunk a 8 tételes Stigmatizáció Krónikus Betegségekben Kérdőív (SSCI-8) magyar adaptációja és pszichometriai vizsgálata volt coeliakiások körében. További célunk volt megvizsgálni a szégyen közvetítő szerepét a stigmatizáció és a jóllét között. Módszerek: A kutatás önbeszámolós, online kérdőíves, keresztmetszeti vizsgálatként zajlott (n = 85, átlagéletkor: 37,64, 91,8% nő). Az SSCI-8 mellett felvételre kerültek a szégyenélményt, a coeliakiás életminőséget, a jóllétet mérő kérdőívek. A kutatási célok tesztelése megerősítő faktorelemzéssel, korrelációs és mediációs elemzésekkel történt. Eredmények: Az SSCI-8 faktorelemzése során az egydimenziós modell megfelelő illeszkedést mutatott magas belső konzisztenciaértékek mellett. A mediációs modellek szerint a magasabb stigmatizáció a magasabb szégyenélményen keresztül járulhat hozzá a pszichés jóllét (coeliakiás életminőség, jóllét) csökkenéséhez. Megbeszélés: Az SSCI-8 rövid, átfogó kérdőívként megbízhatóan és érvényesen mérte a krónikus betegségben tapasztalt stigmatizációt a jelen coeliakiás mintán. Eredményeink alátámasztják, hogy a stigmatizáció és a szégyen fontos szerepet tölt be a jóllét csökkenésében. Következtetés: A nemzetközileg széles körben alkalmazott SSCI-8 adaptálására került sor, mely hazai kutatásokban és az egészségügyi ellátásban is hasznos mérőeszköz lehet. Az eredmények rávilágítanak, hogy a stigmatizáció és a szégyenélmény további kutatása szükséges, különösen a hatékony pszichoszociális intervenciók kifejlesztését megcélozva. Hatékony pszichológiai segítség révén a szégyen és a stigmatizáltság mérséklésével javulhat a coeliakiával élők fizikai és lelki állapota, ami a gluténmentes diéta betartása révén hozzájárulhat a betegség okozta tünetek és szövődmények mérsékléséhez. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(49): 1968–1976. Summary. Introduction: Coeliac disease can detrimentally affect well-being. Stigmatization related to a chronic disease can enhance physical and psychological symptoms and negatively influence health behaviour, hence, stigma in chronic diseases needs to be addressed. Objectives: Our main goal was to psychometrically evaluate the Hungarian adaptation of the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness-8 (SSCI-8). Further aim was to examine the mediating role of shame on the relationship between stigmatization and well-being aspects among individuals with coeliac disease. Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data using online questionnaires based on self-reports (n = 85, mean age: 37.64 years, 91.8% women). Instruments assessed levels of stigmatization, shame experience, quality of life in coeliac disease and well-being. Confirmatory factor, correlation and mediation analyses were used. Results: Factor analysis showed adequate fit for a unidimensional model with high internal consistency. Mediation models showed that higher levels of stigmatization can contribute to decreased levels of quality of life in coeliac disease and well-being via increased levels of shame. Discussion: The SSCI-8 is a short, valid, reliable instrument measuring stigmatization in the current sample of people with coeliac disease. The results highlight the role of stigma and shame in the decrease of well-being. Conclusion: The adapted version of the SSCI-8 can be a useful tool in Hungarian research and healthcare. The results suggest that stigmatization and shame need further attention to develop effective intervention which can reduce their effect and enhance adherence to gluten-free diet and improve physical and psychological well-being. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(49): 1968–1976.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Bajo ◽  
Amalio Blanco ◽  
Maria Stavraki ◽  
Beatriz Gandarillas ◽  
Ana Cancela ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 20 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 25-56
Author(s):  
Andre Teixeira Reis

Epistemology of Health, Quality of Life, Social Connectedness and the Contribution of Sports for Subjective Wellbeing In this article, literature about the perspectives on the understanding and epistemology of health is addressed. This evolutionary process has opened new terms for a wider understanding of health, quality of life and well-being. From this, concepts of health are addressed through the role of personal consciousness and intentionality within the group context, and the specific term subjective social well-being (SSWB) will be employed to explore social experiences through sports. Because health is a complex issue and because interventions need to be similarly complex, the science underpinning this work must integrate information from the many disciplines (medicine, nursing, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, biology, history, law, and demography, among others). Finally, the role of physical activities and sports for the attaining of SSWB and fundamental questions for researchers will be discussed.


Author(s):  
Laura Schmidt

Objectives: The competent use of technology is increasingly essential for quality of life in old age, hence autonomy, well-being, security, and participation. However, the potential of technology use for the large group of those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) being at risk for losing their independence needs more research. In this work, we concentrate on the role of education and examine whether its impact for technology performance differs among those with and without MCI.


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