Most assessments in medicine are obtained
by examinations by health workers and
laboratory tests. The WHOQOL instruments,
by focusing on individuals' own views of
their well being, provide a new perspective on
disease. For example, that diabetes involves
poor body regulation of blood glucose is well
understood, but the effect of the illness on the
perception that individuals have of their
social relationships, working capacity, and
financial status has received little systematic
attention. The WHOQOL instruments are
tools that will enable this type of research to
be carried out. They not only inquire about
the functioning of people with diabetes, across
a range of areas but also how satisfied the
patients are with their functioning and with
effects of treatment