Development of a comprehensive quality of life measurement tool: CARES

The authors present a cancer specific rehabilitation and treatment planning questionnaire and a computer scoring and reporting evaluation system, the CARES. CARES stands for CAncer Rehabilitation Evaluation System. It is a unique instrument and research to date suggests that it is comprehensive, reliable, valid, and pertinent to patients' quality of life, as they live with cancer. The CARES provides a cost-efficient method of evaluating patients' needs and can serve as a valuable adjunct to medical care. The CARES has been adapted for research settings as well, and has a short form for multiple administrations. Finally, a computer scoring and professional reporting system is available to clinicians with access to IBM compatible personal computers.