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01-05-2017 | Original Article

EORTC QLQ-COMU26: a questionnaire for the assessment of communication between patients and professionals. Phase III of the module development in ten countries

Authors: Juan Ignacio Arraras, Lisa M. Wintner, Monika Sztankay, Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski, Dirk Hofmeister, Anna Costantini, Anne Bredart, Teresa Young, Karin Kuljanic, Iwona M. Tomaszewska, Meropi Kontogianni, Wei-Chu Chie, Dagmara Kulis, Eva Greimel, Conducted on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2017

Abstract

Purpose

Communication between patients and professionals is one major aspect of the support offered to cancer patients. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group (QLG) has developed a cancer-specific instrument for the measurement of different issues related to the communication between cancer patients and their health care professionals.

Methods

Questionnaire development followed the EORTC QLG Module Development Guidelines. A provisional questionnaire was pre-tested (phase III) in a multicenter study within ten countries from five cultural areas (Northern and South Europe, UK, Poland and Taiwan). Patients from seven subgroups (before, during and after treatment, for localized and advanced disease each, plus palliative patients) were recruited. Structured interviews were conducted. Qualitative and quantitative analyses have been performed.

Results

One hundred forty patients were interviewed. Nine items were deleted and one shortened. Patients’ comments had a key role in item selection. No item was deleted due to just quantitative criteria. Consistency was observed in patients’ answers across cultural areas. The revised version of the module EORTC QLQ-COMU26 has 26 items, organized in 6 scales and 4 individual items.

Conclusions

The EORTC COMU26 questionnaire can be used in daily clinical practice and research, in various patient groups from different cultures. The next step will be an international field test with a large heterogeneous group of cancer patients.

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Title: EORTC QLQ-COMU26: a questionnaire for the assessment of communication between patients and professionals. Phase III of the module development in ten countries
Authors: Juan Ignacio Arraras
Lisa M. Wintner
Monika Sztankay
Krzysztof A. Tomaszewski
Dirk Hofmeister
Anna Costantini
Anne Bredart
Teresa Young
Karin Kuljanic
Iwona M. Tomaszewska
Meropi Kontogianni
Wei-Chu Chie
Dagmara Kulis
Eva Greimel
Conducted on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Publication date: 01-05-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2017
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3536-0

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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