Improving quality-of-life questionnaires in head and neck cancer

ABSTRACT Questionnaires are an established means of quantifying health-related quality of life (HRQOL) following head and neck cancer. Questionnaires have evolved over many decades. Validated measures are now readily available to assess the physical/functional, emotional, and social impact of cancer and its treatment. The purpose of this article is to briefly reflect upon the current position and potential future improvements in questionnaire design and clinical utility. The basis for the observations stem from the literature between 1982 and 2014 as contained at the ‘Handle on QOL’ website. Advances over the next five years will relate to the how, when, where and frequency of questionnaire completion, in addition to improved sophistication of analysis and data presentation, underpinned by the improved use of information technology.