Development and Validation of the Hospital Outpatients’ Information Needs Questionnaire (HOINQ)

Abstract

The main objective was to develop and validate a "Hospital Outpatients' Information Needs Questionnaire" (HOINQ). Secondly, to identify patients' preferred sources of information. Finally, to establish differences depending on the disease, as well as between sociodemographic and clinical variables. Patients and Methods:This is a transversal study based on a questionnaire. All adult hospital outpatients' who collected their medication at the Pharmacy Service were consecutively recruited, regardless of their diagnosis time, treatment or disease. The Spanish version of the internationally validated European Organization for Research and Treatment Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-25) aimed at oncology patients was used as the starting point. In order to be applicable on new target population, it was crucial to make several changes and ensure that it complies with the validity, viability and reliability criteria. The questionnaire prepared for validation was then obtained by a literature review (face validity), submitting the EORTC QLQ-25 to an expert committee (content validity), by piloting (viability) and Cronbach's alpha statistical analysis (reliability). Once the questionnaire was completed, Cronbach's alpha of the final study (reliability) and factor analysis (construct validity) were performed. Then, pertinent modifications were applied to obtain the HOINQ.Results: A total of 153 outpatients filled the questionnaire, which was widely accepted and required 5-10 min to complete. Cronbach's alpha coefficients met criteria >0.7. Three factors were established by factor analysis: aspects about the disease, pharmacological and no-pharmacological treatment and satisfaction and perception of the information received. Participants felt satisfied (41-52%) with the information amount, quality and usefulness, although 1 out of 3 stated wanting to know more about the different information areas. Younger patients (P-value <0.05) and those who had been attending the Pharmacy Service for a longer time span (P-value <0.01) reported receiving more information. On a 0 to 7 scale, medical specialists (mean = 6.28, SD = 1.38) followed by the rest of health care professionals (mean = 4.23-4.63, SD = 2.25-2.29) were selected as the preferred sources of information. HIV patients reported being more informed, while those with rheumatoid arthritis felt less informed (P-value <0.05). Conclusion:The HOINQ was developed. It is a self-completed questionnaire, composed of three blocks: the 16-item information needs questionnaire, demographic and clinical variables, and patients' preferred sources of information. It is an easy tool to use and replicate, both for patients and professionals.

Orthodontic treatment during pregnancy, lactation, and postmenopausal period: a questionnaire development

“…Validity and reliability are key elements in the evaluation of a measurement instrument. 19 In this sense, the main result of this study was the development of a valid and reliable instrument to assess the level of knowledge of orthodontists during the treatment of pregnant, lactating, and postmenopausal women.…”

“…In this sense, validated and widely used protocols were followed in the development and validation of instruments. [13][14][15][16] Correctly defining the target population to be studied, having a clear and objective language for the target population of the instrument, 19,24,25 and building up the correct methodology for the good development of the study are important and necessary aspects during the process of development and validation of a construct. 15,16 The definition of the studied population and the validation of this construct were obtained through a review of the literature, meetings with the group of experts, and access to the pilot groups' suggestions for changes in the instruments.…”