Mitchell B Berger1, Megan O Schimpf2. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology, University of Michigan, L4000 Women's, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecology, University of Michigan, L4000 Women's, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. mschimpf@umich.edu.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Validated questionnaires are commonly used in research, but successful completion rates in clinical settings are largely unknown. The primary goal of this study was to assess the frequency of appropriate completion of a validated research survey. We secondarily examined relationships between demographics and successful questionnaire completion. METHODS: New patients completed a paper form of the Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) to assess pelvic floor symptoms and level of bother. Various aspects of successful survey completion were assessed, including unanswered questions, affirmative responses without selection of a level of bother, or choosing a level of bother despite reporting not having a symptom. Relationships between self-reported demographic characteristics and completion of the survey were also evaluated. RESULTS: Five hundred and fourteen questionnaires were completed by a cohort of women with a mean age of 57.5 ± 14.4 years (range 19-97). Overall, 45.3% of women (n = 233) completed the entire PFBQ properly as originally described. Women skipped at least one entire question 16.5% of the time. On logistic regression, older age was significantly associated with improper questionnaire completion (55.0 years ±14.9 successful vs 59.6 years ±13.6 unsuccessful completion, p < 0.001 for overall completion). Age was significantly associated with proper completion of every individual PFBQ question, except question 8 concerning fecal incontinence (p = 0.06). Education level was not significantly associated with successful questionnaire completion. CONCLUSIONS: Overall successful completion of the survey as designed and validated was low, even in a highly educated population. Ways to simplify the instrument to enhance completion, such as electronic smart questionnaires, should be further investigated.
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Validated questionnaires are commonly used in research, but successful completion rates in clinical settings are largely unknown. The primary goal of this study was to assess the frequency of appropriate completion of a validated research survey. We secondarily examined relationships between demographics and successful questionnaire completion. METHODS: New patients completed a paper form of the Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) to assess pelvic floor symptoms and level of bother. Various aspects of successful survey completion were assessed, including unanswered questions, affirmative responses without selection of a level of bother, or choosing a level of bother despite reporting not having a symptom. Relationships between self-reported demographic characteristics and completion of the survey were also evaluated. RESULTS: Five hundred and fourteen questionnaires were completed by a cohort of women with a mean age of 57.5 ± 14.4 years (range 19-97). Overall, 45.3% of women (n = 233) completed the entire PFBQ properly as originally described. Women skipped at least one entire question 16.5% of the time. On logistic regression, older age was significantly associated with improper questionnaire completion (55.0 years ±14.9 successful vs 59.6 years ±13.6 unsuccessful completion, p < 0.001 for overall completion). Age was significantly associated with proper completion of every individual PFBQ question, except question 8 concerning fecal incontinence (p = 0.06). Education level was not significantly associated with successful questionnaire completion. CONCLUSIONS: Overall successful completion of the survey as designed and validated was low, even in a highly educated population. Ways to simplify the instrument to enhance completion, such as electronic smart questionnaires, should be further investigated.
Authors: Linda Brubaker; Heather J Litman; Hae-Young Kim; Philippe Zimmern; Keisha Dyer; John W Kusek; Holly E Richter; Anne Stoddard Journal: Int Urogynecol J Date: 2015-03-24 Impact factor: 2.894
Authors: Roderick J Little; Ralph D'Agostino; Michael L Cohen; Kay Dickersin; Scott S Emerson; John T Farrar; Constantine Frangakis; Joseph W Hogan; Geert Molenberghs; Susan A Murphy; James D Neaton; Andrea Rotnitzky; Daniel Scharfstein; Weichung J Shih; Jay P Siegel; Hal Stern Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2012-10-04 Impact factor: 91.245