Validation of the EORTC information (QLQ-INFO25) and satisfaction with care (IN-PATSAT32) modules in Polish cancer patients’ population

Abstract

Abstract Background: The IN-PATSAT32 and QLQ-INFO25 are questionnaires which can be applied to assess and improve communication with cancer patients, as well as for research and clinical trials aimed at assessing patients’ satisfaction and perception of the information received from nurses and other healthcare providers. Given the recently passed “Polish oncological network” act of law, the issue of patient satisfaction and its regular assessment is finally acknowledged in the socioeconomic and cultural context of Poland. The aim of this study was to perform validation of EORTC satisfaction with care QLQ-INFO25 and quality of information IN-PATSAT32 modules. Methods: The prospective cross-sectional study included patients from cancer reference center from Krakow, Poland. The translated and pilot-tested module QLQ-INFO25 was used together with core questionnaire QLQ-C30 and satisfaction module IN-PATSAT32. Adult patients with histological confirmation of any malignancy and ability to understand the questionnaire were included into the study. Results: 187 patients were enrolled, including 111 women and 76 men (mean age ± SD; 59.32 ± 10.4). Cronbach's alpha coefficients, range 0.83-0.85 for QLQ-INFO25 and 0.82-0.94 for IN-PATSAT32 showed positive internal consistency. Acceptable convergent and discriminant validity in multi-trait scaling analyses was seen for both modules with r<0.3 for all calculations. Interclass correlations proved satisfactory test-retest reliability. Conclusions: Polish versions of IN-PATSAT32 and QLQ-NFO25 are reliable and valid instruments providing domains not covered by core EORTC module. Tools are suitable for use in daily clinical practice, in research as well as in clinical trials in order to obtain data regarding patients’ perception of and satisfaction with received information within the socioeconomic and cultural context of Poland.