Developing a Questionnaire on Knowledge, Perceptions and Application of Vascular-Aging Measurements.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Medical Education

Background:

• Vascular age (VA) is a crucial independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, distinct from chronological age.
• Current implementation of VA in routine clinical practice is hindered by a lack of practical tools and knowledge.
• Identifying knowledge gaps and implementation barriers is essential for advancing CVD risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive questionnaire to evaluate current understanding of VA.
• To identify barriers hindering the integration of VA into clinical practice.
• To create a validated tool for assessing knowledge, perceptions, and application of VA.

Main Methods:

• A stepwise mixed-method approach was employed for questionnaire development.
• Initial item generation involved a semi-qualitative questionnaire (SQQ) followed by expert network dissemination.
• A 22-item quantitative questionnaire (QQ) was finalized after content validity, face validity, and reliability assessments.

Main Results:

• The developed 22-item quantitative questionnaire (QQ) covers knowledge of VA, risk factors, and perceptions of its clinical importance.
• Questions are thematically grouped into knowledge, perceptions/beliefs, and application/limitations of VA measurements.
• The QQ demonstrated high internal reliability, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.920 to 0.982 across all categories.

Conclusions:

• A validated quantitative questionnaire (QQ) for assessing vascular age (VA) knowledge, perceptions, and application has been successfully developed.
• This tool is designed for both clinicians and non-clinicians, facilitating a broader understanding of VA.
• The QQ addresses the need for practical instruments to support the implementation of VA in risk stratification and research.