Appearance and facial function are concepts not well addressed in current pediatric patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) for facial conditions. We aimed to develop a new module of the FACE-Q for children/young adults with facial conditions that include ear anomalies, facial paralysis, skeletal conditions, and soft tissue conditions. Semi-structured and cognitive interviews were conducted with patients aged 8–29 years recruited from craniofacial centers in Canada, USA, UK, and Australia. Interviews were used to elicit new concepts and to obtain feedback on CLEFT-Q scales hypothesized to be relevant to other facial conditions. Interview data were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Experts were emailed and invited to provide feedback via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). Eighty-four participants and 43 experts contributed. Analysis led to the development of a conceptual framework and 14 new scales that measure appearance, facial function, health-related quality of life, and adverse effects of treatment. In addition, 12 CLEFT-Q scales were determined to have content validity for use with other facial conditions. Expert input led to minor changes to scales and items. This new FACE-Q module for children/young adults is being field-tested internationally. Once finalized, we anticipate this PROM will be used to inform clinical practice and research studies.
Objective
The FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module for children and young adults is a patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) designed to measure outcomes for patients aged 8 to 29 years with facial conditions. The aim of this study was to establish content validity of a relevant subset of the module for its use in orthodontic patients with malocclusion.
Setting and Sample Population
Experts in orthodontics were emailed and invited to provide feedback through a Research Electronic Data Capture survey. Patient feedback was obtained through cognitive interviews with patients aged 8 to 29 years recruited from a university‐based orthodontic clinic in Canada.
Materials and Methods
Expert opinion and patient interviews were used to obtain feedback on the content of 4 appearance (face, smile, teeth and jaws) and 1 function (eating and drinking) scales hypothesized to be relevant to orthodontic malocclusions, and to elicit new concepts. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and coded using a line‐by‐line approach.
Results
Twenty‐one experts and 15 patients participated. Expert feedback led us to drop 9, retain 40, revise 4 and add 16 new items. At the conclusion of cognitive interviews no items were dropped, 55 were retained, 5 were revised and 8 new items were added. The final set of 68 items demonstrated content validity for orthodontic patients.
Conclusion
Expert feedback and cognitive interviews enabled us to revise and refine 5 scales as part of the FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module for use in orthodontic patients. These scales were included in the internationalfield‐test of the FACE‐Q Craniofacial Module.
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