Cross-cultural adaptation and semantic validation of an instrument to identify palliative requirements in Portuguese

To translate and make cross-cultural adaptation of NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool to Portuguese, and to analyze its semantic validity.

A methodological research about NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool cross-cultural adaptation, translated from Spanish into Portuguese and measurement of semantic validity. The cross-cultural adaptation process was conducted according to Beaton recommendations, including translation, translation synthesis, back-translation, and analysis of semantic, idiomatic, conceptual, and cultural equivalence of translated and back-translated tool versions, resulting in a pre-final version, which was submitted to a pre-test (n=35). Contend Validity Index was calculated to analyze semantic validity.

Cross-cultural adaptation process allowed us to prepare the final version of this tool, which was named NECPAL-BR. Collected data from pre-testing step enabled the analysis of semantic validity. The Content Validity Index observed at this step was 0.94.

The semantic validity of the tool in its Portuguese version was confirmed; therefore, it may assist in screening chronic progressive disease patients, aiming to provide early palliative care. It may also be used to develop clinical and team performance indicators, and be employed as a care management tool designed to optimize resources.