This study aimed to validate the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire and compare it with the Nottingham Health Profile in a British primary care setting. The SF-36, a self-administered questionnaire, was mailed to 1980 patients aged 16-74 years from two general practices in Sheffield. The response rate was 83%, with high completion rates for each dimension. The SF-36 demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's α >0.85, reliability coefficient >0.75 for all dimensions except social functioning) and construct validity, distinguishing between groups with expected health differences. The SF-36 was able to detect low levels of ill health in patients who scored 0 on the Nottingham Health Profile. The SF-36 is a promising tool for measuring health perception in the general population, being easy to use, acceptable to patients, and meeting stringent criteria of reliability and validity. However, further research is needed to validate its use with different disease groups and in elderly patients.This study aimed to validate the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey questionnaire and compare it with the Nottingham Health Profile in a British primary care setting. The SF-36, a self-administered questionnaire, was mailed to 1980 patients aged 16-74 years from two general practices in Sheffield. The response rate was 83%, with high completion rates for each dimension. The SF-36 demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach's α >0.85, reliability coefficient >0.75 for all dimensions except social functioning) and construct validity, distinguishing between groups with expected health differences. The SF-36 was able to detect low levels of ill health in patients who scored 0 on the Nottingham Health Profile. The SF-36 is a promising tool for measuring health perception in the general population, being easy to use, acceptable to patients, and meeting stringent criteria of reliability and validity. However, further research is needed to validate its use with different disease groups and in elderly patients.