Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36)

July 21st, 2015

Overview

  • A generic health survey to assess health status in the general population
  • Comprises of 36 items, covering 8 dimensions / subscales:
    1. Physical functioning
    2. Role limitations (physical)
    3. Bodily pain
    4. Social functioning
    5. General mental health
    6. Role limitations (emotional)
    7. Vitality
    8. General health perceptions
  • 2 non-scored questions to estimate change in health status over the past year
  • A score from 0 – 100 can be provided to each dimension

 Advantages

  • Standardized norms available

Disadvantages

  • Relative complexity and hence low completion rates
  • Require permission to use from the Medical Outcomes Trust