Use of the terms "Wellbeing" and "Quality of Life" in health sciencesa conceptual framework

Resumen

Background and Objectives: The assessment of wellbeing is a top priority in health sciences. The aim of this paper is to review the history of the concept of wellbe- ing and �Quality of Life� (QoL), and to understand the theories and assumptions that guided this field in order to provide a conceptual framework that may eventually facilitate the development of a formal synset (grouping of synonyms and semantically similar terms) of health-related wellbeing. The history of the concept of wellbeing and QoL was reviewed in order to provide a conceptual framework. Results : Huge differences exist on the definition of �Wellbeing� and its relationship with QoL, �Happiness� and �Functioning� in the health context. From a dimensional per- spective, health related wellbeing could be regarded as an overarching construct charac- terised by asymmetrical polarity, where �wellbeing� embeds the concept of �ill-being� as �health� incorporates de concept of �disease�. Conclusions: A common conceptual framework of these terms may eventually facili- tate the development of a formal synset of health-related wellbeing. This terminological clarification should be part of a new taxonomy of health-related wellbeing based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework that may facilitate knowledge transfer across different sectors and semantic interoperability for care management and planning.