INTRODUCTION
Until recently, mortality rates were the only
indicators of success available to intensivists.
The long-term physiological and psychological
effects of both the disease and intensive therapy
were not included in the measurement of effectiveness
of services provided. However, within
the last 10 years, measurements of outcome
influenced by quality of life (QOL) have been
considered important in evaluating economies,
human costs and benefits (Patrick et al 1988).
As patients are also influenced by their ability to
fulfil their own expectations, their perceptions
are crucial in determining both the use and
impact of health and medical services (Hopkins
1992). The measurement of outcomes tends to
be judged in medical terms, with little consideration
of the implications for the patient and
relatives and future practice. Most follow-up
studies have utilised self-completed questionnaires,
which have been suggested as being no
more than a system which forces patients to
express themselves in the language and classifications
of the economist (Hopkins 1992). In
this study the patients were interviewed in their
own homes, thereby allowing them, and their
relatives, freedom of expression within their
own environment.
INTRODUCTIONUntil recently, mortality rates were the onlyindicators of success available to intensivists.The long-term physiological and psychologicaleffects of both the disease and intensive therapywere not included in the measurement of effectivenessof services provided. However, withinthe last 10 years, measurements of outcomeinfluenced by quality of life (QOL) have beenconsidered important in evaluating economies,human costs and benefits (Patrick et al 1988).As patients are also influenced by their ability tofulfil their own expectations, their perceptionsare crucial in determining both the use andimpact of health and medical services (Hopkins1992). The measurement of outcomes tends tobe judged in medical terms, with little considerationof the implications for the patient andrelatives and future practice. Most follow-upstudies have utilised self-completed questionnaires,which have been suggested as being nomore than a system which forces patients toexpress themselves in the language and classificationsof the economist (Hopkins 1992). Inthis study the patients were interviewed in theirown homes, thereby allowing them, and theirrelatives, freedom of expression within theirown environment.
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