Medical Care. 27(3):S217-S232, MARCH 1989
PMID: 2646490
Issn Print: 0025-7079
Publication Date: March 1989
Generic and Disease-Specific Measures in Assessing Health Status and Quality of Life
Donald Patrick;Richard Deyo;
+ Author Information
*From the Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington†From the Northwest Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center and Departments of Medicine and Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Abstract
Application of generic and specific measures of health status and quality of life to different diseases, conditions, states, and populations is increasing. Four strategies for using these measures are separate generic and specific measures, modified generic measures, disease-specific supplements, and batteries. The preferred strategy depends on project aims, methodological concerns, and practical constraints. Generic measures are necessary to compare outcomes across different populations and interventions, particularly for cost-effectiveness studies. Disease-specific measures assess the special states and concerns of diagnostic groups. Specific measures may be more sensitive for the detection and quantification of small changes that are important to clinicians or patients. Comparison studies are needed of the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of generic and disease-specific measures in the same population and in minority and age-specific groups.
