Nuring and health-related literature is filled with references to quali ty of life(QOL). Clients intend to obtain the highest quality of life when they search for medical care. therefore "quality of life" has been the core of the medical and nursing clinical practice. Quality of life is so complex, the authors try to clarify the concept through concept analysis method. 1.indentify uses of concept; 2.determine defining atrributes;3.construct model cases, borderline cases and contrary cases; 4.indentify antecedents and consequences; 5.define emiprical referents. It is hoped this analysis will help nurses to comprehend the amblguous concept and facilitate the further nursing research into what QOL means in the health care context.