Welcome to our survey! This is a Quality Adjusted Life Years Exercise. Let's get started! The aim of this exercise is to reduce scepticism regarding whether quality of life can be measured, help students understand how utilities are estimated in practice, and facilitate discussion regarding the issues with measuring and interpreting the results of different instruments. All students are required to complete the exercise for EACH condition (Blind, Quadriplegia, Eczema). There are no right or wrong answers, and the answers are anonymous. Students can talk to each other or ask the lecturer/tutors for help if they do not understand what to do.
Description of the three conditions
Blind You were born totally blind (inability to see light). You have a walking cane which enables mobility to and from places you know well, such as around the home and to the local shop, however you are afraid of going alone to places you don’t know well. You experience no pain. The visual impairment limits your potential to participate in many forms of physical recreation. You are dependent on others to drive you to appointments, social activities and work and the visual impairment has restricted your employment opportunities. You experience social stigma, low self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
Quadriplegia You are in a car accident and the damage to your spinal cord has resulted in quadriplegia. You have total loss of your lower limbs, can move your arms but cannot move your fingers. You have lost the ability to control your bowel and bladder, and have impaired sexual function. You experience reduced sensation in your limbs and sometimes experience neuropathic pain. You use an electric wheelchair to get around, however are somewhat dependent on others for personal hygiene, dressing and undressing, eating and transferring from the bed to the wheelchair. You experience severe depression.
Eczema You have chronic eczema, a recurring skin rash that is itchy, red and dry. It appears on the inside of the elbows and if you scratch the spot repeatedly it can spread and/or bleed. You experience some low self-esteem and depression and rarely wear clothing with short sleeves.
There are 24 questions in this survey.
