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Published on: October 18, 2011
Improving a newly developed patient-reported outcome for thyroid patients, using cognitive interviewing
Torquil Watt1, Ase Krogh Rasmussen, Mogens Groenvold
1Department of Endocrinology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. T.Watt@rh.dk
Summary
Cognitive interviewing refined a thyroid patient questionnaire, reducing comprehension issues. However, patients selectively reported thyroid-related problems, indicating a need for careful instruction.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Developing accurate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is crucial for thyroid disease management.
- Cognitive interviewing is a valuable technique for assessing and improving survey instruments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance a new PROM for thyroid patients through cognitive interviewing.
- To identify and resolve patient-reported issues in questionnaire design and response.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one cognitive interviews were conducted with thyroid patients across various conditions.
- Six iterative rounds of interviews guided successive questionnaire revisions.
- Identified problems were categorized using Tourangeau's four-stage model.
Main Results:
- 126 problems were identified across questionnaire items, introductions, and response categories.
- Comprehension (54) and response (28) issues were most frequent.
- Problem frequency decreased significantly with iterative interviews, particularly comprehension issues.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive interviewing effectively identified and reduced problems in the PROM.
- Patients demonstrated a tendency to attribute issues to their thyroid condition, even when not instructed to do so.
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