There are websites such as the Mapi Research
Institute that are devoted solely to QOL instruments.
This is an excellent starting point for the orthopaedic
nurse who is interested in examining patients
QOL. The database contains numerous instruments
that are either generic, disease/pathology specific,
or specific to patient populations such as pediatrics
or geriatrics. Garratt et al. (2002b, p. 1418) identify
QOL instruments as ‘‘dimension specific, disease or
population specific, generic, individualized or utility
(or economic) measures’’. In contrast, Bonomi et al.
(2000) view tools as either specific or generic.
Regardless of the instrument used, researchers
should indicate the rationale for their choice (Gill
and Feinstein, 1994).