[Quality of life and economical significance]

A good healing result is, of itself, not a measure of life-quality, but only a factor within a complex of values. Throughout time, its significance corresponds to the degree of evolution of the medical profession, and especially that of preservation and reconstructive surgery. Subjective perception, satisfaction with treatment, preservation or impairment of physical abilities, illness in the broadest sense, and finally terminal despair or even death are criteria of the value termed life quality. A key function of the rehabilitation process lies in the confrontation with its result, only the acceptance of a deficient state leads to the regaining of life-quality, this may necessitate a reappraisal of values (delcredere). To secure life-quality after injury is not only a question of financing the individual case, but a matter of economical significance in view of the reclaiming of resources once the injured are reintegrated. This reclamation will be the greater, the more quickly and thoroughly rehabilitation is accomplished. Rehabilitation, in turn, depends upon the adequate development of treatment possibilities, including hospital structures within which performance standards must be conveyed.