Table 17.3.b: A taxonomy of health status and quality of life measures adapted from Patrick and Erickson (Patrick 1993).
Measure |
Strengths |
Weaknesses | |
Types of Scores Produced |
|
| |
Single indicator number. |
Global evaluation; Useful for population. |
May be difficult to interpret. | |
Single index number. |
Represents net impact; Useful for cost effectiveness. |
Sometimes not possible to disaggregate contribution of domains to the overall score. | |
Profile of interrelated scores. |
Single instrument; Contribution of domains to overall score possible. |
Length may be a problem; May not have overall score. | |
Battery of independentscores.
|
Wide range of relevant outcomes possible. |
Cannot relate different outcomes to common measurement scale; May need to adjust for multiple comparisons; May need to identify major outcome. | |
Range of Populations and Concepts |
|
| |
Generic: applied across diseases, conditions, populations, and concepts.
|
Broadly applicable; Summarizes range of concepts; Detection of unanticipated effects possible. |
May not be responsive to change; May not have focus of patient interest; Length may be a problem; Effects may be difficult to interpret. | |
Specific: applied to individuals, diseases, conditions, populations, or concepts/domains. |
More acceptable to respondents; May be more responsive to change. |
Cannot compare across conditions or populations; Cannot detect unanticipated effects. | |
Weighting System |
|
| |
Utility: preference weights from patients, providers, or community. |
Interval scale; Patient or consumer view incorporated. |
May have difficulty obtaining weights; May not differ from equal-weighting, which is easier to obtain. | |
Equal-weighting: items weighted equally or from frequency or responses. |
More familiar techniques; Appears easier to use. |
May be influenced by prevalence; Cannot incorporate tradeoffs. | |
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