FAQ's
Q		A
Is there one summary score that is a combined score for the various subscales in the SF-36® so that a single score could be used for each patient?     The SF-36® is scored such that 8 scale scores are given: physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health. Work by the developers on the tool have found that two summary measures can be calculated from these scales – these are called the physical component score and the mental component score. The manuals provide instruction for scoring and interpretation. The components analyses showed that there are two distinct concepts measured by the SF-36® – a physical dimension and a mental dimension. Therefore, it is not appropriate to try and come up with one overall score; thus instead the two summary scores are used.
Q		A
How is each scale of the SF-36® scored?     Each scale from the SF-36® is a simple algebraic sum of responses for all items in that scale. The simple summated scoring method is possible because all items in the same scale have roughly equivalent relationships to the underlying health concept – it is not necessary to standardize or weight the items. For ease of interpretation each scale is then transformed to a 0-100 scale using a transformation formula. This transformation converts the lowest and highest possible scores to zero and 100 respectively. Scores between these values represent the percentage of the total possible score achieved. This conversion makes it possible to compare results to the norms derived from the general population.

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