Conceptual basics of quality of life as the most important indicator of therapeutic and diagnostic process productivity

Abstract

We consider the main conceptual basic principles of the theory of assessing the quality of life (QoL) and the quality of life associated with health (HRQoL). We reveal the essence and socio-economic significance of the concept of “quality of life”, its semantic and operational fullness. We present the analysis of the essence of the “health-related quality of life” concept, its significance for evaluating the effectiveness of the therapeutic and diagnostic process, important aspects of the use of HRQoL tools in real clinical conditions, differences and orientation of non-specific and specific questionnaires used in medicine. It is noted that measuring the quality of life is an important component of interviewing a patient, involving him in treatment, making decisions about medical interventions and limiting the possibilities of modern medicine by suspending or stopping treatment, so as not to prolong life at any cost, but to improve subjective perceptions during the remaining life span. Making the quality of life measurable is a methodological task, since it cannot be directly displayed; the development of objective and subjective indicators is indicative here, but they should also be sensitive enough to changes to correctly assess the quality of life. At the same time, the development of questionnaires for measuring the quality of life is subject to quality assurance criteria that must be met in the research process. In conclusion, an example of comprehensive studies of the quality of life conducted at the Public Health and Healthcare Department of Medical Institute in Derzhavin Tambov State University, where a regional center for the study of the quality of life of various population groups, as well as the quality of life of patients suffering from various diseases, has been successfully operating in the last few years.