Irene Ngune1, Moyez Jiwa2, Alexandra McManus3, Jeff Hughes4, Richard Parsons5, Rupert Hodder6, Fiona Entriken7. 1. School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, Australia 6845. I.ngune@curtin.edu.au imarigu@gmail.com. 2. Health Innovation (Chronic Diseases) Curtin University, Medical Education, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia. 3. Centre of Excellence for Science, Seafood &Health (CoESSH) Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia. 4. School of Pharmacy Curtin University, School of Pharmacy, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia. 5. School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work Curtin University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bentley, Perth, WA, Australia. 6. Consultant, Department of Surgery, Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital, Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Perth, 6009, WA, Australia. 7. Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital,Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Perth, 6009, WA, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) may result in physical, social, and psychological needs that affect patients' quality of life post-treatment. A comprehensive assessment should be conducted to identify these needs in CRC patients post treatment, however, there is a lack of tools and processes available in general practice. AIMS: This study aimed to develop a patient-completed needs screening tool that identifies potentially unmet physical, psychological, and social needs in CRC and facilitates consultation with a general practitioner (GP) to address these needs. METHODS: The development of the self-assessment tool for patients (SATp) included a review of the literature; face and content validity with reference to an expert panel; psychometric testing including readability, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability; and usability in clinical practice. RESULTS: The SATp contains 25 questions. The tool had internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.70-0.97), readability (reading ease 82.5%), and test-retest reliability (kappa 0.689-1.000). A total of 66 patients piloted the SATp. Participants were on average 69.2 (SD 9.9) years old and had a median follow-up period of 26.7 months. The SATp identified a total of 547 needs (median 7 needs/per patient; IQR [3-12.25]). Needs were categorised into social (175[32%]), psychological (175[32%]), and physical (197[36%]) domains. CONCLUSION: SATp is a reliable self-assessment tool useful for identifying CRC patient needs. Further testing of this tool for validity and usability is underway.
BACKGROUND: Treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) may result in physical, social, and psychological needs that affect patients' quality of life post-treatment. A comprehensive assessment should be conducted to identify these needs in CRC patients post treatment, however, there is a lack of tools and processes available in general practice. AIMS: This study aimed to develop a patient-completed needs screening tool that identifies potentially unmet physical, psychological, and social needs in CRC and facilitates consultation with a general practitioner (GP) to address these needs. METHODS: The development of the self-assessment tool for patients (SATp) included a review of the literature; face and content validity with reference to an expert panel; psychometric testing including readability, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability; and usability in clinical practice. RESULTS: The SATp contains 25 questions. The tool had internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.70-0.97), readability (reading ease 82.5%), and test-retest reliability (kappa 0.689-1.000). A total of 66 patients piloted the SATp. Participants were on average 69.2 (SD 9.9) years old and had a median follow-up period of 26.7 months. The SATp identified a total of 547 needs (median 7 needs/per patient; IQR [3-12.25]). Needs were categorised into social (175[32%]), psychological (175[32%]), and physical (197[36%]) domains. CONCLUSION:SATp is a reliable self-assessment tool useful for identifying CRC patient needs. Further testing of this tool for validity and usability is underway.
Authors: Irene Ngune; Moyez Jiwa; Alexandra McManus; Richard Parsons; Georgina Pagey; Rupert Hodder Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-11-05 Impact factor: 5.428