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Validation of a Cystic Fibrosis Medication Knowledge Questionnaire
Beverly FitzPatrick1, John Hawboldt1, Mary Jane Smith2
1Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Insights
Developing a new tool to assess cystic fibrosis (CF) medication knowledge in children and their caregivers is crucial. This validated questionnaire can personalize education, potentially improving treatment adherence and health outcomes for pediatric CF patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Health Education
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Low adherence to cystic fibrosis (CF) treatment negatively impacts patient health outcomes.
- Increased knowledge of CF and its treatment regimen is linked to better adherence.
- A validated tool is needed to assess medication knowledge in pediatric CF patients and caregivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a questionnaire assessing medication knowledge in pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers.
- To provide a tool for identifying knowledge gaps to enable personalized educational interventions.
Main Methods:
- A 37-item questionnaire (22 selected-response, 15 open-response) was developed.
- Content validity was established through expert review based on Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing.
- Field testing was conducted with 17 pediatric CF patients and 18 caregivers.
Main Results:
- The questionnaire demonstrated strong internal consistency, with an overall Cronbach's α of .84.
- A medium, though not statistically significant, correlation (r = .33, P = .189) was found between age and medication knowledge.
- Participants found the questionnaire relevant and suitable, offering minor suggestions for wording improvements.
Conclusions:
- The developed questionnaire possesses strong validity evidence for assessing pediatric CF medication knowledge.
- This tool can facilitate tailored educational strategies to enhance treatment adherence in pediatric CF populations.
- Improved adherence through personalized education holds the potential to positively influence health outcomes in cystic fibrosis.
Abstract:
Low adherence to cystic fibrosis (CF) treatment is associated with poor health outcomes, while knowledge of the disease and medication regimen can positively influence adherence. This study's purpose was to develop and validate a questionnaire to help determine CF medication knowledge of pediatric patients and caregivers. Our questionnaire had 37 items: 22 selected-response and 15 open-response questions. We used validation processes from the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. CF experts analyzed validity evidence based on content. Then, the questionnaire was field tested with 17 pediatric patients and 18 caregivers. The correlation between age and medication knowledge was medium (r = .33), but was not significant (P = .189). Cronbach's α for the overall test was .84. Participants thought the questionnaire was important and suitable, with a few minor suggestions to improve wording. Strong validity evidence indicates the questionnaire could be used to assess medication knowledge and allow more personalized education to improve adherence.
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