Quality of life research and health technology assessment--a time for synergy.

Measuring quality of life and assessing technologies are both increasingly prominent in health care systems. This growth has accompanied growing concern over aging populations and health care expenditure growth. Nevertheless, there appears to be unrealized potential for synergy between quality of life research and technology assessment. In this paper, we consider the roles and challenges facing quality of life research in three domains: research-particularly clinical trials of therapeutics; clinical situations and policy-making. We then examine the potential for synergy in these domains and conclude that expanding collaboration will strengthen both fields and intensify their impact in research, clinical practice and policy-making.