Published in:
Open Access
01-12-2005 | Research
Development and validation of a psychosocial screening instrument for cancer
Authors:
Wolfgang Linden, Dahyun Yi, Maria Cristina Barroetavena, Regina MacKenzie, Richard Doll
Published in:
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
|
Issue 1/2005
Login to get access
Abstract
Background
We are reporting on the development of a psychosocial screening tool for cancer patients. The tool was to be brief, at a relatively low reading level, capture psychological variables relevant to distress and health-related quality-of-life in cancer patients, possess good reliability and validity, and be free of copyright protection.
Method
Item derivation is described, data on reliability and validity as well as norms are reported for three samples of cancer patients (n = 1057; n = 570, n = 101).
Results
The resulting 21-item psychological screen for cancer (PSCAN) assesses perceived social support, desired social support, health-related quality-of-life, anxiety and depression. It has good psychometrics including high internal consistency (alpha averaging .83, and acceptable test-retest stability over 2 months (averaging r = .64). Validity has been established for content, construct and concurrent validity.
Conclusion
PSCAN is considered ready for use as a screening tool and also for following changes in patient distress throughout the cancer care trajectory. It is freely available to all interested non-profit users.