Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups
Connect with professionals who have a similar career focus.
Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) SIG
#ISOQOL_ANZ
This SIG fosters connections between local researchers in a geographically remote region of the world. We aim to support and prepare emerging researchers for international opportunities through collaborations, mentorships and other projects year-round.
Leadership
Past Chair
Liane J. Ioannou, PhD
Monash University
Victoria, Australia
liane.ioannou@monash.edu
Chair
Nadia Corsini
University of South Australia
South Australia, Australia
nadia.corsini@unisa.edu.au
Chair-Elect
Melanie Hawkins, PhD
Swinburne University of Technology
Victoria, Australia
melaniehawkins@swin.edu.au
Secretary/Treasurer
Rachel D. Campbell, PhD
University of Sydney
New South Wales, Australia
r.campbell@sydney.edu.au
Board Liaison
Tolulope T. Sajobi, PhD
University of Calgary
Department of Community Health Sciences
Alberta, Canada
ttsajobi@ucalgary.ca
Canada-PRO SIG
#ISOQOL_CanadaPRO
This SIG unites researchers, clinicians, patients and decision makers with a common interest in promoting and harmonizing patient-reported outcomes (PRO) use in Canada. We invite you to join us in discussing methodological issues and developments, generating new ideas, and collaborating on projects for the advancement of PRO research and application.
Leadership
Past Chair
Ana M. Moga, PT PhD Candidate
McGill University
School of Physical Therapy
Quebec, Canada
ana.moga@mcgill.ca
Chair
Fatima Al Sayah, PhD
University of Alberta
Alberta, Canada
falsayah@ualberta.ca
Chair-Elect
Doris Howell, RN PhD
Princess Margaret Cancer Research Institute
Ontario, Canada
doris.howell@uhn.ca
Board Liaison
Lotte Haverman, PhD
Emma Children’s Hospital
Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Netherlands
l.haverman@amsterdamumc.nl
Child Health SIG
#ISOQOL_ChildHealth
This SIG unites professionals who share a common interest in the quality of life of children. We are open to new and interesting ideas that will foster improvements in child health and across the transition into early adulthood.
Leadership
Past Chair
Holger Muehlan, PhD
University of Greifswald
Department Health & Prevention
Germany
holger.muehlan@uni-greifswald.de
Chair
Zephanie F. Tyack, BOccThy(Hons) PhD
Queensland University of Technology
Queensland, Australia
z.tyack@uq.edu.au
Chair-Elect
Sumedh Bele, MBBS MPH
Alberta, Canada
sumedh.bele@ucalgary.ca
Board Liaison
Roxanne E. Jensen, PhD
National Cancer Institute
Maryland, United States
roxanne.jensen@nih.gov
Chinese PRO SIG
#ISOQOL_ChinesePRO
This SIG focuses on promoting research and education of PROs for the Chinese population by connecting with international efforts related to research and application of PROs. We facilitate networking for Chinese researches by supporting emerging researchers online, through collaborations, and at ISOQOL events.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Daniel Y.T. Fong, PhD
University of Hong Kong
School of Nursing
Hong Kong
dytfong@hku.hk
Co-Chair
Qiuling Shi, PhD
Chongqing Medical University
China
qshi@cqmu.edu.cn
Board Liaison
Tolulope T. Sajobi, PhD
University of Calgary
Department of Community Health Sciences
Alberta, Canada
ttsajobi@ucalgary.ca
Developing Nation SIG
#ISOQOL_DevelopingNation
This SIG identifies the social and economic issues and concerns that impact health and health related quality of life in developing countries to inform future research, practice, and policy recommendations. It also serves as a link between the members of this SIG and other SIGs to bring these social and economic issues and concerns to audiences where they may not otherwise be represented. We invite you to join us in addressing the challenges of measuring the quality of life in developing countries, considering language, and cultural barriers, the ethics of research in situations of poverty, and reduced autonomy.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Adesola C. Odole, PhD
University of Ibadan
College of Medicine
Nigeria
adesola_odole@yahoo.com
Co-Chair
Liliane LinsKusterer, PhD
Federal University of Bahia
School of Medicine
Brazil
lkusterer@gmail.com
Co-Chair
Vijaya K. Gothwal, B.Opt MAppSc. PhD
L V Prasad Eye Institute
India
vijayagothwal@gmail.com
Board Liaison
Elizabeth J. Unni, PhD
Touro College of Pharmacy
New York, United States
Elizabeth.unni@touro.edu
German-speaking Countries SIG
#ISOQOL_GermanSpeaking
This SIG promotes communication, interaction and collaboration between ISOQOL members from German-speaking countries. We create a platform that enables the exchange of information, promotes research and education of PROs and facilitates networking and collaboration between researchers of all career stages, including clinicians, patients, colleagues from industry, government, regulatory agencies, not-for-profit institutions and all interested in advancing the science of quality of life (QOL) and related patient-centered outcomes (PCO) in German-speaking countries.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Kathrin I. Fischer, MSc PhD
Boehringer Ingelheim
Germany
kathrin_2.fischer@boehringer-ingelheim.com
Co-Chair
Bernhard Holzner, PhD ME
Medical University of Innsbruck
Austria
bernhard.holzner@tirol-kliniken.at
Board Liaison
Lotte Haverman, PhD
Emma Children’s Hospital
Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Netherlands
l.haverman@amsterdamumc.nl
Health Preference Research SIG
#ISOQOL_HPR
This SIG promotes educational activities and scientific research related to health related preferences. We encourage our members to engage in organizational activities that support the growth and greater integration of health preference research.
Leadership
Past Chair
Heather McFadden, PhD
Evidera
Maryland, United States
heather.gelhorn@evidera.com
Chair
Donna Rowen, PhD
University of Sheffield
United Kingdom
d.rowen@sheffield.ac.uk
Chair-Elect
Julie A. Campbell, BEc (Hons) PhD
University of Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia
Julie.Campbell@utas.edu.au
Board Liaison
Kathryn E. Flynn, PhD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Wisconsin, United States
kflynn@mcw.edu
Ibero America SIG
#ISOQOL_Ibero
This SIG promotes communication, interaction and collaboration between ISOQOL members residing in an Ibero American country. We aim to increase the presence of Ibero Americans in international discussions of QOL research by supporting researchers locally and abroad.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Pedro L. Ferreira, PhD
CEISUC – University of Coimbra
Centre for Health Studies & Research
Portugal
pedrof@fe.uc.pt
Co-Chair
TBD
Board Liaison
Lotte Haverman, PhD
Emma Children’s Hospital
Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Netherlands
l.haverman@amsterdamumc.nl
Industry SIG (I-SIG)
#ISOQOL_Industry
This SIG connects individuals from academia with professionals representing the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and consulting industries who share a common interest in the application of health related QOL research. We are interested in innovative methods and research related to COAs, including PROs.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Ana Maria Rodriguez-Leboeuf, PhD MSc PT BSc
McGill University, IQVIA
Quebec, Canada
anamaria.rodriguez@iqvia.com
Co-Chair
Calvin N. Ho, PhD
AstraZeneca
Maryland, United States
calvin.ho@astrazeneca.com
Board Liaison
Jakob B. Bjorner, MD PhD
QualityMetric
Denmark
jbjorner@qualitymetric.com
Japan
#ISOQOL_Japan
This SIG aims to increase opportunities for Japanese professionals in HRQL to communicate and exchange valuable information. We facilitate collaborations on high-quality studies, create opportunities for information exchange, and disseminate the results with the Japanese research community as well as with wider Asian Pacific and global audiences.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Mariko Naito, DDS PhD
Hiroshima University
Japan
naitom@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Co-Chair
Yoshimi Suzukamo, PhD
Tohoku University
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Japan
suzukamo@med.tohoku.ac.jp
Secretary
Rika Hayashida, MS
University of Nagasaki, Siebold
Japan
rika-h@sun.ac.jp
Board Liaison
Tolulope T. Sajobi, PhD
University of Calgary
Department of Community Health Sciences
Alberta, Canada
ttsajobi@ucalgary.ca
Mixed Methods SIG
#ISOQOL_MixedMethods
This SIG promotes the use of mixed methods research in the field of HRQL research by exploring the challenges and methodological solutions offered by this research paradigm, identifying opportunities for application of mixed methods research in the field, and defining good practice. Our ultimate aim is to share and learn best-practice methodologies that can be utilized to enhance the patient-centeredness of outcomes research.
Mixed Methods: Refers to techniques that combine elements of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.
Leadership
Past Chair
Antoinette F. Davey, PhD
University of Exeter
United Kingdom
antoinette.davey@exeter.ac.uk
Chair
Rachel N. Cusatis, PhD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Wisconsin, United States
rcusatis@mcw.edu
Chair-Elect
Bridget Gaglio, PhD MPH
Evidera
Maryland, United States
bridget.gaglio@evidera.com
Board Liaison
Kathryn E. Flynn, PhD
Medical College of Wisconsin
Wisconsin, United States
kflynn@mcw.edu
New Investigators SIG
#ISOQOL_NewInvestigators
This SIG provides professional development opportunities for:
- Graduate students
- Postdoctoral fellows who have completed their doctorate in the past five years
- Independent researchers who have recently transitioned to health related QOL research within the past five years
We provide early-career support to young professionals new to the field of HRQL research through a variety of online resources and in-person events.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Ahmed M.Y. Osman, PhD
Newgiza University
Egypt
osmana@tju.edu.cn
Co-Chair
Mehmet Inceer
McGill University
Quebec, Canada
mehmet.inceer@mail.mcgill.ca
Board Liaison
Elizabeth J. Unni, PhD
Touro College of Pharmacy
New York, United States
Elizabeth.unni@touro.edu
Patient Engagement (PE) SIG
#ISOQOL_PE
This SIG aims to ensure the patient voice is represented in ISOQOL activities through the advancement of patient engagement in HRQL research. Not only do we discuss ways to incorporate the patient voice in HRQL research, but we also are here to support ISOQOL’s current and prospective Patient Research Partners (PRP).
Leadership
Co-Chair
Natasha Roberts, BN(Hons) PhD
Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital
Queensland, Australia
natasha.roberts@uq.edu.au
Co-Chair
Sadia Ahmed, BHSc MSc
University of Calgary
Alberta, Canada
sadahmed@ucalgary.ca
Patient Research Partner Advisor Chair
Sandra A. Zelinsky
University of Calgary
Alberta, Canada
sandra.zelinsky@ucalgary.ca
Board Liaison
Roxanne E. Jensen, PhD
National Cancer Institute
Maryland, United States
roxanne.jensen@nih.gov
Psychometrics SIG
#ISOQOL_Psychometrics
This SIG explores the role of psychometrics in the development and evaluation of health related QOL measures. We seek to advance QOL research through the application of psychometric methods.
Psychometrics: Refers to a field of study and practice that deals with the theories and techniques of psychological measurement.
Leadership
Past Chair
Devin Peipert, PhD
Northwestern University
Illinois, United States
john.peipert@northwestern.edu
Chair
Donald “Don” Bushnell, MA
Evidera | PPD
Arizona, United States
don.bushnell@evidera.com
Chair-Elect
Jinxiang “Fran” Hu
Kansas, United States
jhu2@kumc.edu
Board Liaison
Jakob B. Bjorner, MD PhD
QualityMetric
Denmark
jbjorner@qualitymetric.com
QOL in Clinical Practice (CP) SIG
#ISOQOL_CP
This SIG focuses on methodology and implementation initiatives to advance the effective use of PRO measures across different medical care settings. Our ultimate objective is to improve the management and treatment of individual patients, medical decision-making, and patient-centered care.
Leadership
Past Chair
Liv Marit Valen Schougaard
Aarhus University
Denmark
livschou@rm.dk
Chair
Elizabeth J. Austin, MPH
University of Washington
Washington, United States
austie@uw.edu
Chair-Elect
Angela Wolff, PhD RN
Trinity Western University
British Colombia, Canada
angela.wolff@twu.ca
Board Liaison
Richard L. Skolasky, ScD
Johns Hopkins University
Maryland, United States
rskolas1@jhmi.edu
Regulatory and Health Technology Assessment Engagement (R&HE) SIG
#ISOQOL_RHE
This SIG will routinely and actively engage with regulatory agencies and health technology assessment (HTA) bodies to address critical applied measurement issues raised by these entities or that emerge from their public communications (e.g., guidance documents, reflection papers, workshops). This collaboration embraces a broad measurement perspective and enables us to build scientifically-based patient-focused recommendations regarding the use of clinical outcome assessments (COAs) in the evaluation of therapeutic interventions aimed at advancing human health and well-being.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Robyn von Maltzahn, MSc
GSK
United Kingdom
robyn.x.von-maltzahn@gsk.com
Co-Chair
Ashley F. Slagle, MS PhD
Aspen Consulting, LLC
Colorado, United States
ashley@aspenconsulting.services
Board Liaison
Roxanne E. Jensen, PhD
National Cancer Institute
Maryland, United States
roxanne.jensen@nih.gov
Response Shift SIG
#ISOQOL_ResponseShift
This SIG explores when and why response shift occurs. Our ultimate goal is to help QOL researchers and health care professionals recognize and account for response shift when using PROs.
Response Shift: A change in the meaning of one’s self-evaluation of a target construct, i.e., during a research trial, a patient’s definition of mild pain versus intolerable pain could change.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Gudrun Rohde, PhD
University of Agder and Sorlandet Hospital
Norway
gudrun.e.rohde@uia.no
Co-Chair
I-Chan Huang, PhD
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Epidemiology and Cancer Control
Tennessee, United States
i-chan.huang@stjude.org
Board Liaison
Richard L. Skolasky, ScD
Johns Hopkins University
Maryland, United States
rskolas1@jhmi.edu
Statistics SIG
#ISOQOL_Statistics
This SIG connects statisticians working in the field of quality of life and provides a platform for communication, interaction and collaboration. Our aim is to identify and progress key areas for research and provide workshops and training for the wider ISOQOL membership.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Kim Cocks, PhD
Adelphi Values
United Kingdom
Kim.Cocks@adelphivalues.com
Co-Chair
Antoine Regnault, PhD
Modus Outcomes, A Division of THREAD
France
antoine.regnault@threadresearch.com
Board Liaison
Jakob B. Bjorner, MD PhD
QualityMetric
Denmark
jbjorner@qualitymetric.com
Translation and Cultural Adaptation (TCA) SIG
#ISOQOL_TCA
This SIG advances the research of clinical outcome assessment (COA) translation and cultural adaptation. We promote the visibility of cross-cultural issues related to the development and use of COAs by promoting collaborations between academia, industry, consultants and pharmaceutical companies.
Leadership
Co-Chair
Emily Parks-Vernizzi, MBA
FACITtrans
New York, United States
eparks@facit.org
Co-Chair
Caroline Anfray
Mapi Research Trust
France
caroline.anfray@mapi-trust.org
Secretary
Anita K.A. Bradley-Gilbride, PhD
Health Psychology Research Ltd.
United Kingdom
anitas@healthpsychologyresearch.com
Board Liaison
Richard L. Skolasky, ScD
Johns Hopkins University
Maryland, United States
rskolas1@jhmi.edu
United Kingdom and Ireland (UK and Ireland)
#ISOQOL_UK
This SIG focuses on use of PROMs research in the United Kingdom and Ireland by fostering engagement between policymakers, clinicians, industry colleagues, patients and researchers. We invite you to join us online or in person at our annual PROMs conference and other ISOQOL events.
Leadership
Past Chair
Jonathon “Jon” Evans, BSc MSc MD FRCS
University of Exeter
Health Service and Policy Research Group
United Kingdom
j.p.evans2@exeter.ac.uk
Chair
Timothy “Tim” Pickles, BSc (Hons) MSc
Cardiff University
United Kingdom
PicklesTE@Cardiff.ac.uk
Chair-Elect
Antoinette F. Davey, PhD
University of Exeter
United Kingdom
antoinette.davey@exeter.ac.uk
Board Liaison
Lotte Haverman, PhD
Emma Children’s Hospital
Amsterdam University Medical Centers
Netherlands
l.haverman@amsterdamumc.nl
The International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQOL) is a global community of researchers, clinicians, health care professionals, industry professionals, consultants, and patient research partners advancing health related quality of life research (HRQL).
Together, we are creating a future in which patient perspective is integral to health research, care and policy.