Background & objective: The researches on quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients are concerned worldwide. Two QOL instrument systems for cancer patients, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) and Quality of Life Questionnaires (QLQ), have been developed and used widely in the US and Europe, but no one has been developed in China. This study was to develop the general module of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients (QLICP-GM) used in China.
Methods: The structured group (nominal group and focus group) methods and the qualitative combined quantitative theory and methodology was used to develop rating scales. The items were preliminarily screened, evaluated, and modified. The QOL data of 448 cancer patients were analyzed by the methods of coefficient of variation, factor analysis, clustering analysis, and correlation analysis.
Results: QLICP-GM was developed and evaluated. The module, including 32 items, was consisted of 4 domains: physical function, psychologic function, social function, and general symptoms and side effects.
Conclusion: QLICP-GM possesses a reasonable content validity because it reflects the WHO definition and connotation of QOL, and common issues of cancer patients as well.