이현정1, 옥민수1, 김수영2, 김선하3, 김선희4, 조민우1

1울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실, 2한림대학교 의과대학 가정의학교실, 3단국대학교 보건과학대학 간호학교실, 4울산대학교 의과대학 서울아산병원 가정의학과

Background: This study aimed to understand and explore perception of healthy adults and chronically ill adults
on health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).
Methods: Data were collected by open questions using a focus group discussion for healthy adults (N＝6) and
in-depth interviews for chronically ill adults (N＝6). Previously developed 34 HRQoL items also were offered
and participants were asked to select the five most important HRQoL items among them.
Results: Findings were elicited along the following themes: health, HRQoL, health maintenance strategies, and
elements affecting health. The definition on “being healthy” by healthy participants had a variety of standards
and required several conditions to be fulfilled. Whereas chronically ill adults have more flexible perception
about the coexistence of health and disease. Health dimensions were thought to affect each other, and physical
and mental health dimension were selected as the most important items. As for the five most important HRQoL
items, both group participants selected mental health dimension than physical or social health dimensions.
Health maintenance strategies were similar in both groups except more healthcare service use in chronically ill
adults.
Conclusions: This study shows the difference of perception on health and HRQoL between health group and
disease group in Korea. It can be used for developing the HRQoL assessment tool reflecting the perception of
Korean people.
Korean J Health Promot 2016;16(1):56-66
Keywords: Health, Health-related quality of life, Qualitative study, Focus group discussion, In-depth interview