Open AccessChronic illness and quality of life
Author(s) -
C. J. Eales,
Aimée Stewart,
Timothy D. Noakes
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
south african journal of physiotherapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2410-8219
pISSN - 0379-6175
DOI - 10.4102/sajp.v56i4.527
Subject(s) - quality of life (healthcare) , rehabilitation , spouse , medicine , disease , quality (philosophy) , chronic disease , physical therapy , psychology , intensive care medicine , nursing , philosophy , epistemology , pathology , sociology , anthropology
The major objective of medical care is to preserve life. If patients cannot be cured and are left with residual chronic diseases then the aim is to provide them with the means to lead a life of quality within the confines of their disease. Rehabilitation in chronic disease means restoring or creating a life of acceptable quality. This is achieved by restoring the patient to optimal physiological and psychological health compatible with the extent of the disease and in doing so improve the quality of life. Improved quality of life is the best indicator of successful rehabilitation. Patients with chronic diseases are increasingly expected to become partners when decisions are made regarding their therapy and therefor their evaluation of the outcome is of great importance. There are a number of shortcomings with quality of life evaluations and the most important one is that it does not seem to be adequately defined. Another major problem is that this evaluation usually focuses on aspects of physical function and few studies include subjective indicators. It is generally felt that the opinion of the spouse or caregiver should be included.