Table 2 Description of selected QOL assessment instruments

ESAS-r [39]

Current symptoms

People with life-limiting illness

11 items with a response scale ranging from 0 (no symptom) to 10 (worst possible)

9 items measure individual symptoms, 1 measures wellbeing, and 1 measures a self-identified problem

MQOL-R [49]

Quality of life over the past two days

People at all stages of a life-threatening illness (from diagnosis to cure or death)

14 items (+  1 global item) with a numerical response scale ranging from 0 to 10.

Physical, Psychological, Existential, and Social

QOLLTI-F [50]

Quality of life over the past two days

Primary family caregiver of patients with life-threatening illness (but developed only with caregivers of cancer patients)

16 items (+  1 global item) with a numerical response scale ranging from 0 to 10.

Environment, Patient Condition, Caregiver’s Own State, Outlook, Quality of Care, Relationships, and Financial Concerns

CANHELP-lite [52] (patient version)

Satisfaction with end of life care during the past month

Patients with life-limiting illness

20 items with a 5-point response scale ranging from 1 = not at all satisfied to 5 = completely satisfied

Relationship with Doctors, Illness Management, Communication, Decision-Making, Your Well-being, and Overall Satisfaction

CANHELP-lite [52] (family caregiver version)

Satisfaction with end of life care during the past month

Family caregivers of patients with life-limiting illness

21 items with a 5-point response scale ranging from 1 = not at all satisfied to 5 = completely satisfied

Relationship with Doctors, Characteristics of Doctors and Nurses, Illness Management, Communication and Decision-Making, Your Involvement, and Overall Satisfaction