RESEARCH ON AGING McFall et al. / NATIVE AMERICAN PRIMARY CARE PATIENTS Health-Related Quality of Life of Older Native American Primary Care Patients

The Dartmouth Primary Care COOP Charts are used to characterize the health-related quality of life of patients in five clinics operated by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. A profile of COOP scores for older Native American patients is presented, as well as the relationships of COOP scores with selected health-related and sociodemographic variables, a partial assessment of construct validity. Data are from a nonprobability sample of adult patients surveyed in 1995 and 1997. This article reports on 157 patients age 55 to 87. More limitations were reported in relation to physical function, bodily pain, and health perceptions. Fewer limitations were reported in social activi-ties and social support. Correlations among COOP dimensions were similar to other studies of chronic disease patients. There was substantial, although partial, agreement between expected and observed relationships, particularly for the health variables. The easily administered COOP charts can improve communication across barriers of class, race, and generation to encourage better quality of care and quality of life for older Native American patients. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is a multidimensional construct composed of physical functioning, psychological well-being, social and role-related functioning, health perceptions, and symptoms of specific health conditions (Ware 1986). Measures of functional status and HRQL are relevant tools for treating older patients. They may b