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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

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Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

The psychological context of quality of life: a psychometric analysis of a novel idiographic measure of bladder cancer patients' personal goals and concerns prior to surgery

Authors: Bradley Andrew Morganstern, Bernard Bochner, Guido Dalbagni, Ahmad Shabsigh, Bruce Rapkin

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing focus on quality of life outcomes in urological diseases. Patient-reported outcomes research has relied on structured assessments that constrain interpretation of the impact of disease and treatments. In this study, we present content analysis and psychometric evaluation of the Quality of Life Appraisal Profile. Our evaluation of this measure is a prelude to a prospective comparison of quality of life outcomes of reconstructive procedures after cystectomy.

Methods

Fifty patients with bladder cancer were interviewed prior to surgery using the Quality of Life Appraisal Profile. Patients also completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and demographics. Analysis included content coding of personal goal statements generated by the Appraisal Profile, examination of the relationship of goal attainment to content, and association of goal-based measures with QLQ-C30 scales.

Results

Patients reported an average of 10 personal goals, reflecting motivational themes of achievement, problem solving, avoidance of problems, maintaining desired circumstances, letting go of roles and responsibilities, acceptance of undesirable situations, and attaining milestones. 503 goal statements were coded using 40 different content categories. Progress toward goal attainment was positively correlated with relationships and activities goals, but negatively correlated with health concerns. Associations among goal measures provided evidence for construct validity. Goal content also differed according to age, gender, employment, and marital status, lending further support for construct validity. QLQ-C30 functioning and symptom scales were correlated with goal content, but not with progress toward goal attainment, suggesting that patients may calibrate progress ratings relative to their specific goals. Alternately, progress may reflect a unique aspect of quality of life untapped by more standard scales.

Conclusions

The Brief Quality of Life Appraisal Profile was associated with measures of motivation, goal content and progress, as well as relationships with demographic and standard quality of life measures. This measure identifies novel concerns and issues in treating patients with bladder cancer, necessary for a more comprehensive evaluations of their health-related quality of life.

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Title: The psychological context of quality of life: a psychometric analysis of a novel idiographic measure of bladder cancer patients' personal goals and concerns prior to surgery
Authors: Bradley Andrew Morganstern
Bernard Bochner
Guido Dalbagni
Ahmad Shabsigh
Bruce Rapkin
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-9-10

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The psychological context of quality of life: a psychometric analysis of a novel idiographic measure of bladder cancer patients' personal goals and concerns prior to surgery

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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