Last week on Wednesday, 14 September 2016, UGM Faculty of Psychology received a visit from Professor Jan Paschier, an expert in Clinical and Health Psychology from Vrij University Amsterdam. Paschier spoke at a seminar with the title “Quality of Life Measurement” that took place in room A-203.
Paschier took the opportunity to discuss several topics, such as the meaning of quality of life in its relation with health, measurement of quality of life, and Qalys (Quality of Life-adjusted years). Quality of Life is a term often used to evaluate individual and public well-being in general. However, well-being does not only extend as far as monetary income nor physical and mental health. According to Paschier, there has not been a clear consensus on the meaning of quality of life as it hinges on several questions such as clinical decision making, public health, and health economics before one can come to a clear answer. Paschier added that each person may have different aspects that they deem important to their quality of life.
Furthermore, he explained that a reliable measurement system as well as monitoring and evaluation is crucial in order to conduct health research in Indonesia. To that end, Paschier as The Academic Director for Indonesia, introduced QoLMARI (Quality of Life Measurement) that could provide information and steps needed to conduct said measurement. At the time of this writing, the quality of life research center is located at Universitas Padjajaran Faculty of Psychology.
It is hoped that this latest visit by Professor Jan Paschier is only the first of many more collaborations to come, and that UGM Faculty of Psychology can join hands with with other universities to further advancements in the field of health psychology as well as quality of life.