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An instrument to collect data on frequency and intensity of symptoms in older palliative cancer patients: A
Aurélie Van Lancker1, Dimitri Beeckman1, Sofie Verhaeghe1
1University Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ 5K3, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Purpose:
To develop and validate an instrument to collect data on symptoms (frequency/intensity) in older palliative cancer patients.
Methods:
A four-phase instrument development and validation study was performed. A preliminary version of the instrument was developed through a literature review. Face- and content validity were assessed in a Delphi-procedure with eleven experts. Cognitive interviewing with 24 older cancer patients was performed to enhance content validity of the instrument. Test-retest was performed to assess the stability.
Results:
An 40-item instrument was developed. The Assessment Symptoms Palliative Elderly (ASPE) collects data on frequency and intensity of 24 physical, 10 psychological, 3 functional, 1 spiritual and 2 social symptoms. Content validity was excellent (I-CVI 81.8%-100.0% and S-CVI 92.9%). Cognitive interviewing allowed to improve the content validity. Test-retest showed substantial to almost perfect agreement for 87.5% of the items. No item had poor or fair agreement.
Conclusion:
This study resulted in the development of the ASPE which reflects good properties for face- and content validity and reliability. Cognitive interviewing has a valuable contribution in the validation process. The instrument can be used to gain insight in symptoms in older palliative cancer patients.
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