ISOQOL actively works towards the development of national and regional chapters as a means of widening the field of health-related quality of life (HRQL) research in countries and regions beyond its traditional membership base in North America and Western Europe. It is hoped that the development and growth of such chapters will not only increase ISOQOL’s membership and promote a more truly international network of HRQL research and researchers, but also encourage the understanding and use of HRQL measures in a wider and more culturally and geographically

diverse range of countries and regions.
 

In 2006, a group of ISOQOL members in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan communicated via email and shared their vision of establishing a national or regional chapter for the promotion of QOL research on Chinese populations in the region. A preparatory committee of 13 people, 7 from Hong Kong SAR, 4 from Mainland China and 2 from Taiwan, was formed.  After a lengthy discussion between themselves and the ISOQOL Board on the name of the chapter, they finally decided upon “ISOQOL-Asian Chinese Chapter”.

The ISOQOL-ACC has become an integral part of ISOQOL. ISOQOL members who reside or work in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan, irrespective of their nationality or race, will automatically become members of the Asian Chinese Chapter, except if they choose not to. This is based on the assumption that ISOQOL members who live or work in these regions are interested in conducting HRQOL research on Chinese speaking populations. The ACC registers as an independent legal body in Hong Kong and as a Limited Company under the Business Registration

Ordinance of Hong Kong SAR. The ACC has opened and operates an independent bank account and maintains an independent financial account. The ACC submits an annual report to the ISOQOL Board which should provide an update on the chapter’s current membership, leadership, activities in the past year, plans for the coming year(s) and a copy of the financial audit statement which is prepared according to the business registration ordinance of Hong Kong.

The structure and operational mode of the Asian Chinese Chapter was approved by the ISOQOL board in late 2007. An inauguration ceremony was held in May 2008 at the Asian Chinese QOL conference held in Guangzhou, China. Prof Donald Patrick, representing ISOQOL, was invited to officiate the ceremony. On the day of the inauguration, about 30 more QOL researchers in Mainland China enrolled to be new members of the ISOQOL. The first executive committee

was formed; Dr. Cindy L K LAM (Hong Kong) was elected to be the President of the chapter with Dr. Feng-bin LIU (Guangdong) as Vice President, Mr. Kwok-fai LEUNG (Hong Kong) as Secretary General, Dr. Karis Kin-fong CHENG (Hong Kong) as Treasurer, Dr. Yuen-tao HAO (Guangdong) as Membership Secretary, and Dr. Wei-chu CHIE (Taiwan) as a Committee member. The executive committee is open to any members who wish to join.

Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan cover a larger territory. It is not an easy task to work toward the mission of the chapter.  However, the members of the executive committee work hard to promote the chapter and to facilitate education and sharing among QOL researchers in the region.