Cancer patient's satisfaction assessment using the EORTC QLQ-SAT32: comparison between self-assessment and interview response
Brédart, A.; Mignot, V.; Rousseau, A.; Dolbeault, S.; Beauloye, N.; Adam, V.; Elie, C.; Leonard, I.; Asselain, B.; Conroy, T.
Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique 53 Spec no 1: 1s31-1s38
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-7620 PMID: 16327738 Document Number: 587988
For pertinent investigation of patient satisfaction it is important to know what type of data collection procedure yields optimal results. In this study, we compared a self- versus interview administration of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) patient satisfaction questionnaire (QLQ-SAT32), noting response and item omission rates. We also assessed the correlation and agreement between responses according to these modalities of questionnaire administration. 123 patients recruited in two anti-cancer Centers in France were asked to complete the QLQ-SAT32 at home within 2 weeks of hospital discharge and were randomly allocated to participate in a telephone interview-administration of the QLQ-SAT32, either before or after self-completing the QLQ-SAT32. 104 patients completed both modalities of questionnaire administration. Agreement proved excellent for the doctors' and nurses' subscales and satisfactory for the services' subscale and the general satisfaction single item. However, a significant difference in response rate showed up between Centers (different interviewers) and the interview modality revealed an item omission rate higher than for the self-administration modality. Self- and interview-administration of the QLQ-SAT32 provided similar responses however different response rate between interviewers and higher item omission rate in interviews suggests a biasing effect of that modality of data collection.