14.06.17
NICE to review quality of life measures across health and social care
A project to review the way that quality of life is measured across health and social care is being undertaken by NICE.
The research project, called ‘Extending the QALY’, is being led by the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) at the University of Sheffield, and also involves collaborators from the University of Kent, the Office of Health Economics and the EuroQol Research Foundation. It began in May and will last two and a half years.
When NICE looks at the cost-effectiveness of a healthcare intervention like a new drug or diagnostic, the benefit of an intervention is measured by how many quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) it provides.
This measurement is based on a number of different factors, which the research will review to determine how best to measure quality of life.
NICE said that the research is also a response to criticisms that the current measures do not capture the important benefits of treatments beyond health-related quality of life, such as independence or improved relationships with family, friends and carers.
“NICE relies on an accurate assessment of quality of life when making decisions about interventions across health and social care,” said Nick Crabb, programme director of scientific affairs at the organisation.
“Research is needed to develop new tools to assess quality of life that are equally relevant across these sectors and capture the key things – not just health – that are important to people.”
Crabb added that his team looks forward “to working with our partners on this important project which aims to develop a new broad generic measure of quality of life that is relevant across health and social care”.
“Depending on the research results, NICE will consider whether and how to include any new quality of life measure in its work,” he concluded.
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