[Changes in quality of life in oncological patients in the course of an inpatient after-care program]

Presented are selected results of a comprehensive study of 98 breast and intestinal cancer patients in the framework of an inpatient aftercare programme. In comparison to the outset, the patients' quality of life had increased clearly at the end of the aftercare measure: Physical complaints, functional impairments and psychic strain due to anxieties, depression or typical disease-generated problems have diminished. The patients' general life satisfaction at the end of the programme is good and does not differ from the levels found in a comparative sample of healthy subjects. The meaning of the "quality of life" construct, as well as of our findings, for rehabilitation research are discussed.