How to Calculate QALY
- 1). Obtain a medical estimate concerning how long a patient is expected to live. This calculation is made based on a multitiude of factors such as existing medical conditions, severity of medical conditions, lifestyle, family history and overall physical health.
- 2). Obtain a medical estimate about the future quality of the years left to live. Physicians measure quality of life by evaluating multiple factors such as physical well-being, recreation, social relationships, community involvment and personal fulfilliment. For instance, a year of life that is half as enjoyable as a "normal" year for that individual would be measured as 0.5.
- 3). Multiply the estimates from steps one and two. For instance, if a patient is expected to live five years at 0.5 quality of life, the QALY would be 2.5 (the product of 5 x 0.5).