Health and Quality of Life Outcomes BioMed Central Research Open Access Measuring health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a routine hospital setting: Feasibility and perceived value Preben Bendtsen*1, Matti Leijon1, Ann Sofie Sommer2 and Margareta Kristenson1 Address: 1Department of Health and Society, Linköping University, Sweden and 2Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden Email: Preben Bendtsen* - prebe@; Matti Leijon - ; Ann Sofie Sommer - ; Margareta Kristenson - * Corresponding author Published: 11 April 2003 Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2003, 1:5 This article is available from: Received: 10 March 2003 Accepted: 11 April 2003 © 2003. | BioMed Central Health and Quality of Life Outcomes Research Open Access Measuring health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a routine hospital setting Feasibility and perceived value Preben Bendtsen 1 Matti Leijon1 Ann Sofie Sommer2 and Margareta Kristenson1 Address Department of Health and Society Linkõping University Sweden and 2Department of Pulmonary Medicine University Hospital Linkõping Sweden Email Preben Bendtsen - prebe@ Matti Leijon - Ann Sofie Sommer - Margareta Kristenson - Corresponding author Published II April 2003 Received 10 March 2003 Accepted 1 1 April 2003 Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2003 1 5 This article is available from http content 1 1 5 2003 Bendtsen et al licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose provided this notice is preserved along with the article s original URL. Abstract Background Assessment of health-related quality of life is so far mainly used in specific research settings and not widely accepted in the routine care of patients. Lack of trust in accuracy and reliability and lack of knowledge concerning the questionnaires used methods terminology are just some of the perceived barriers for a more widespread dissemination of these instruments into routine health care. The present study was undertaken in order to test the feasibility of a computerised system for collecting and analysing health-related quality of life in a routine clinical setting and to examine the thoughts and attitudes among physicians concerning the value of these measurements. Methods Seventy-four patients with chronic pulmonary lung disease were asked to assess their health-related quality of life with a computerised version of the SF-36 questionnaire before a regular the visit to a physician. The .
