Faculty of Health Sciences at Hokkaido University will hold its first Health Science Seminar of the 2026 academic year, "Measuring the Invisible: QOL and Patient-Reported Outcomes," on April 10th.

This lecture will explain how to evaluate "invisible concepts" such as QOL (quality of life) and how to utilize them in healthcare.

Traditional clinical indicators alone fail to adequately capture patients' experiences, such as the distress caused by symptoms and their impact on daily life, potentially leading to a discrepancy between healthcare professionals' and patients' assessments. Therefore, patient-centered outcome evaluation is essential for accurately assessing treatment effectiveness, enabling patient-centered decision-making, and improving the quality of care.
Quality of Life (QOL) is a multidimensional and subjective concept, and it is measured using standardized scales to ensure reliability and validity.
This paper discusses the selection and practical aspects of scales, interpretation of results, applications in clinical and research settings, and the development of ePROs, while also highlighting the challenges associated with measurement and the importance of appropriate implementation.

For more information, please see here. *You will be redirected to the Hokkaido University Faculty of Health Sciences website.