Progress, problems and priorities in quality of life research

Considerable progress has been made in the methodology of quality of life research and we now need to judge the clinical utility of this approach in clinical trials. Some of the logistic problems in implementing these studies are formidable, however, and this has contributed to a slow uptake of quality of life research in clinical practice. Pragmatic guidelines are now needed to help overcome problems of implementation and analysis. Further adaptation and refinement of instruments will be needed to meet new challenges in the field, but we must be selective in our research initiatives and ensure that quality of life becomes translated into improved patient care.