Initial evaluation of the validity and reliability of the culturally adapted Spanish CaSUN (S-CaSUN)

Needs and Expectations of Long-Term Cancer Survivors: Multi-Centre Study Protocol

Cancer is a social issue as its outreach affects not only mortality (it is the second cause of death in our environment) but also the costs due to morbidity and the distress it causes, as well as the losses and consequences in personal, family, work, and even social areas. This study is trying to find out the health needs of long-term cancer survivors and their perceptions and expectations of the care they received during their survival stage. For this, a joint, cross-sectional descriptive study with a qualitative and quantitative approach has been designed. For the qualitative approach, we have used different focus groups representing different geographical areas of the Spanish territory. For the qualitative approach, we have used a validated questionnaire. This study will provide a better knowledge of the quality of life of these patients, as well as their level of unmet and even unexpressed needs, in order to develop effective strategies and interventions that allow for the implementation of adapted care plans that include such unexpressed needs. This study will also allow for the creation and development of assessment methods for health results from the patient's perspective and experience. These issues require a multidisciplinary, complex approach. These survivors may require not well-known health services, as the number of these patients has grown recently, and their survival time is also longer. This research explores a wider and more thorough perspective of long-term cancer survivors' needs, experiences, and expectations to be achieved.

Health Disparities in Advance Care Planning: Development of a Spanish-Language LEAD Guide (Life-Planning in Early Alzheimer's and Other Dementias)

Introduction

The LEAD (Life-Planning in Early Alzheimer's and Other Dementias) Guide is an advance care planning (ACP) tool for use within the context of dementia. To meet the needs of diverse communities, we sought to create a culturally sensitive and translated Latin American Spanish version of the guide.

Methods

First, the guide was translated into Spanish. Second, we conducted forward and backward translations. Third, focus groups with Spanish-speaking Latino adults were held (healthy adults and current or previous dementia caregivers).

Results

Descriptive analysis revealed three domains regarding the Latin American Spanish version of the LEAD Guide (LA LEAD Guide): (1) Family Dynamics (e.g., preventing family conflict), (2) Cultural Expectations (e.g., familial caregiving responsibility), and (3) Health Literacy (e.g., lack of knowledge about ACP).

Discussion

This process created the Latin American LEAD Guide as a culturally and linguistically appropriate and acceptable ACP tool for older Latino adults.

Health Equity Implications

The availability of culturally sensitive and Spanish ACP resources could facilitate greater health care access and research participation among Latino Americans by diminishing the linguistic and health literacy barriers for those not comfortably proficient in English.

Psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs (CaSUN-SL) measure in post-treatment cancer survivors

Background

As the number of cancer survivors is growing, valid instruments for assessing cancer survivors' needs are required. Thus, the aim of this study was to translate and validate the Cancer Survivors Unmet Needs (CaSUN) scale.

Methods

Cancer survivors were recruited from 30 family medicine practices and separated into two samples (sample 1, n = 147; sample 2, n = 148). Factor structure was explored with an exploratory analysis in sample 1 and determined with a confirmatory analysis in sample 2. Psychometric properties were assessed with internal consistency, test–retest reliability and construct validity.

Results

A translation and cultural adaptation of the CaSUN scale resulted in 34 items being included in the final version. The factor structure confirmed the five-factors solution of the CaSUN-SL. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.94 for the CaSUN-SL and ranged from 0.71–0.88 for specific domains. Test–retest reliability showed moderate-high stability over time. The CaSUN-SL significantly and positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.49), depression (r = 0.44), health-related quality of life (r = 0.36), and negatively with self-perceived health (r =  − 0.36) and resilience (r =  − 0.47), which confirms the construct validity. In addition, we found a significant correlation between unmet needs and age (r =  − 0.29), gender (r = 0.14), cancer stage (r = 0.20), cancer type (r = 0.19), and time since treatment (r =  − 0.20).

Conclusions

Results indicate that CaSUN-SL is a valid and reliable measure to assess the Slovenian cancer survivors’ unmet, met and total needs and can be used for further prospective studies.

Trial Registration: No. 0120-25/2019/6.

Validating the Chinese version of the Cancer Survivors' Partners Unmet Needs measure (C-CaSPUN) and exploring unmet needs in Chinese cancer survivor-family caregiver dyads

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the C-CaSPUN in Chinese family caregivers (FCs) of cancer survivors (CaS) and to compare the unmet needs of CaS-FC dyads.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey, consisting of five Chinese version measurement scales, was used to collect data from CaS-FC dyads. Statistical methods used included exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach's α, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson's correlation.

RESULTS

Participants consisted of 610 survivor-caregiver dyads. EFA and CFA established the four-factor construct C-CaSPUN, comprising relationship impact and life perspective, information and health care, quality of life (QoL) and survivorship care. All of the C-CaSPUN scales had good internal reliability (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.752). The ICC for test-retest ranged from 0.645 to 0.782 at the scale level, with an average ICC value of 0.653. The concurrent validity was evidenced by C-CaSPUN being negatively associated with SF-12 MCS and positively related to anxiety and/or depression. In addition, the correlation coefficient scores between C-CaSPUN factors and the C-CaSUN total scale ranged from moderate to good (r = 0.505-0.671).

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings may support the reliability and validity of the C-CaSPUN in measuring the unmet needs of FCs of Chinese CaS.

Evaluation of the Japanese Version of the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs Scale

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs (CaSUN-J) scale among cancer survivors in Japan.

Methods

The CaSUN-J was developed using standardized translation methodology. Content validity was evaluated by a group of experts, and a pilot test was conducted with a convenience sample of 10 cancer patients. A total of 183 Japanese cancer survivors completed the CaSUN-J. The internal consistency of the scale was examined with Cronbach's α. Construct validity was analyzed using correlations with the physical effects, quality of life (QoL), and age. To assess the factorial validity of the CaSUN-J, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed.

Results

The CaSUN-J indicated good readability and high content validity for use as an assessment tool among Japanese cancer survivors. All Cronbach's α coefficients were above the minimum acceptable criterion of ≥0.70. For construct validity, higher physical effect scores, as well as poorer QoL scores and younger patients, were significantly positively associated with higher levels of needs. CFA indicated that the five-factor structure of the CaSUN-J was a good fit to the data.

Conclusions

The CaSUN-J can serve as a valid and reliable tool to evaluate unmet needs among Japanese cancer survivors.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the cancer survivors' unmet needs measure

PURPOSE

Recognition has been growing that when developing effective and affordable survivorship care programmes, it is crucial to assess cancer survivors' unmet needs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties, including construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity, of the Chinese version of the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs measure (C-CaSUN) using a sample of Chinese adult cancer survivors.

METHOD

A test battery, consisting of a self-developed information sheet and four Chinese version measurement scales [CaSUN, the Benefit Finding Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short Form (SF-12)], was applied to collect data from Chinese adult cancer survivors. Statistics methods used included exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach's coefficient α, Pearson's correlation, and Kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

There were 610 cancer survivors. Factor analysis confirmed the five-factor model of C-CaSUN, including information and medical care, life perspective, relationship, comprehensive support, and quality of life. Cronbach's α for all of the C-CaSUN scales was greater than 0.845. The test-retest correlations at the scale level, including the total and the five factors between the two time points, ranged from good to excellent (r = 0.713-0.833). The average Kappa coefficient at the item level was 44%. Evidence of significant negative correlations with SF-12 MCS, and positive correlations with anxiety and depression, established the concurrent validity of the C-CaSUN.

CONCLUSIONS

Evidence indicates that the C-CaSUN is a reliable and valid measure of unmet needs in Chinese cancer survivors. Findings support the five-factor construct of C-CaSUN.

Hispanic Male Cancer Survivors’ Coping Strategies

Cancer survivors manage their new status using a multitude of coping mechanisms. Coping strategies vary by individual, but are also socioculturally mediated. Scarce evidence on coping strategies adopted by Hispanic male cancer survivors (HMCS) is available to date. The purpose of this study was to explore the reaction to diagnosis and subsequent coping strategies employed by HMCS. Data were gathered through focus groups ( n = 18), cognitive interviews ( n = 12), and phone interviews ( n = 84). Coping strategies included positive attitudes, humor, optimism and social support, use of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and faith. Findings are consistent with research on non-cancer-related coping showing that HMCS use active coping strategies, such as religion and support from family and friends. The analysis of existing strategies and needs points to the need to develop evidence-based psychosocial services that build on strengths and coping behaviors already employed by HMCS.