This article reviews the different ways in which quality-of-life assessment has been applied to and has affected health care research and practice. A schema that describes the steps involved in the ongoing challenge of improving health outcomes is used to structure the review. The role of quality-of-life assessment is addressed with regard to: the identification of health problems, the evaluation of new treatments, the formulation of treatment guidelines and health policies, the delivery of optimal care in practice, and the assessment of outcomes in the wider community. The benefit of quality-of-life assessment has been demonstrated in a number of these areas (e.g., in identifying problems and evaluating treatments). Its role in other applications (e.g., in clinical practice to assess patients' needs) shows great promise and requires additional evaluation.
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