In large clinical trials, quality of life data have played a
crucial role in the selection of therapeutic agents that have
become the standard of care.
In addition, information
about quality of life is also important for planning treat-
ment, decision making, and providing supportive care.
Table lists examples of ways that quality of life informa-
tion can be valuable in clinical practice. Such information
is useful for both clinicians and patients, as well as to pro-
mote communication among them. Oncology nurses play
a critical role in providing quality of life information to
patients, so that they can make better-informed decisions
about their treatment. Examples of quality of life studies
that have contributed to cancer care are described in the
following sections.
Uses of Quality of Life Information in Cancer Care
Determine whether a new therapy is preferable to standard
therapy
Compare two standard therapies having similar survival
outcomes
Identify the long-term negative effects of therapy, when
survival time is long
Discover whether a therapeutic regimen is better than
supportive care only, when survival time is short
Determine the negative effects of adjuvant therapy
Identify the need for supportive care
Target problems and facilitate communication in clinical
practice