EORTC QLQ-COMU26: a questionnaire for the assessment of communication between patients and professionals. Phase III of the module development in ten countries
Journal
Supportive Care in Cancer
Journal Volume
25
Journal Issue
5
Pages
1485-1494
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Arraras J.I.
Wintner L.M.
Sztankay M.
Tomaszewski K.A.
Hofmeister D.
Costantini A.
Bredart A.
Young T.
Kuljanic K.
Tomaszewska I.M.
Kontogianni M.
Kulis D.
Greimel E.
Conducted on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Abstract
Communication between patients and professionals is one major aspect of the support offered to cancer patients. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group (QLG) has developed a cancer-specific instrument for the measurement of different issues related to the communication between cancer patients and their health care professionals. Questionnaire development followed the EORTC QLG Module Development Guidelines. A provisional questionnaire was pre-tested (phase III) in a multicenter study within ten countries from five cultural areas (Northern and South Europe, UK, Poland and Taiwan). Patients from seven subgroups (before, during and after treatment, for localized and advanced disease each, plus palliative patients) were recruited. Structured interviews were conducted. Qualitative and quantitative analyses have been performed. One hundred forty patients were interviewed. Nine items were deleted and one shortened. Patients' comments had a key role in item selection. No item was deleted due to just quantitative criteria. Consistency was observed in patients' answers across cultural areas. The revised version of the module EORTC QLQ-COMU26 has 26 items, organized in 6 scales and 4 individual items. The EORTC COMU26 questionnaire can be used in daily clinical practice and research, in various patient groups from different cultures. The next step will be an international field test with a large heterogeneous group of cancer patients.
Publisher
Springer Verlag
Type
journal article