Development and testing of a new instrument to measure patient satisfaction with health care in inflammatory bowel disease: the CACHE questionnaire

Hungarian Linguistic, Cross-Cultural and Age Adaptation of Transition Specific Questionnaires in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: In the TRANS-IBD clinical trial, the outcomes are measured with selected validated questionnaires. Cross-cultural and age adaptations of the Self-Efficacy Scale for adolescents and young adults (IBD-SES), the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), and the Self-Management and Transition Readiness Questionnaire (STARx) were performed. Methods: Linguistic and cultural adaptation was carried out with the usage of reliability coefficients (Cronbach's α coefficients, Spearman's rank correlation), and with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA], Comparative Fit Index [CFI], and Tucker-Lewis Index [TLI]). Results: 112 adolescents participated in the study (45.5% male, mean age 17 ± 1.98 years). CFA was acceptable in the IBD-SES and the TRAQ. Internal consistency was acceptable in IBD-SES and good in TRAQ (0.729; 0.865, respectively). Test-retest reliability was good in IBD-SES, but below the acceptable threshold in TRAQ (ρ = 0.819; ρ = 0.034). In STARx tools, RMSEA showed poor fit values, CFI and TLI were below acceptable fit values, and internal consistency was not satisfied (0.415; 0.693, respectively), while test-retest reliabilities were acceptable (ρ = 0.787; ρ = 0.788, respectively). Conclusions: Cross-cultural, age-specific adaptation was successfully completed with IBD-SES and TRAQ. Those are comparable to the original validated versions. The adaption of the STARx tools was not successful.

Hungarian Linguistic, Cross-Cultural, and Age Adaptation of the Patient Satisfaction with Health Care in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (CACHE) and the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS)

Background: The TRANS-IBD study examines the superiority of joint transition visits, with drug adherence and patient satisfaction among the outcome measures. Our aim was a cross-cultural, age- and disease-specific adaptation of the ‘Medication Adherence Rating Scale’ (MARS) and ‘Patient satisfaction with health care in inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire’ (CACHE) questionnaires in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Linguistic and cultural adaptation using test and re-test procedures were performed. Internal consistency with Cronbach’s α coefficients, confirmatory factor analyses with root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI) were determined. Results: A total of 122 adolescents and 164 adults completed the questionnaires (47.5% male, mean age 17 ± 1; and 29.3% male, mean age 38 ± 11, respectively). In the MARS questionnaire, Cronbach’s α scores were found good in adolescents (0.864) and acceptable in adults (0.790), while in the CACHE questionnaire, scores were rated as excellent in both populations (0.906 and 0.945, respectively). The test-retest reliabilities were satisfactory in both groups (MARS questionnaire: r = 0.814 and r = 0.780, CACHE questionnaire: r = 0.892 and r = 0.898, respectively). RMSEA showed poor fit values in the MARS questionnaire and reasonable fit values in the CAHCE questionnaire, CFI and TLI had statistically acceptable results. Conclusion: Age-and disease-specific Hungarian versions of the questionnaires were developed, which are appropriate tools for TRANS-IBD RCT and daily IBD care.

Consensus document on the management preferences of patients with ulcerative colitis: points to consider and recommendations

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Our objective was to define, describe and organize (on the basis of consensus) the patient's preferences in the management of ulcerative colitis (UC), in order to further incorporate them in daily practice and improve patients satisfaction, adherence to the treatment and quality of care.

METHODS

Qualitative study. A narrative literature review in Medline using Mesh and free-text terms was conducted to identify articles on UC patient preferences as well as clinical scenarios that may influence the preferences. The results were presented and discussed in a multidisciplinary nominal group meeting composed of six gastroenterologists, one primary care physician, one nurse practitioner and one expert patient. Key clinical scenarios and patient preferences were then defined, generating a series of points to consider and recommendations. The level of agreement with the final selection of preferences was established following a Delphi process.

RESULTS

The narrative review retrieved 69 articles of qualitative design and moderate quality. The following key clinical scenarios were identified: diagnosis, follow-up, surgery, and special situations/patients profiles such as adolescents or women. Patient preferences were classified into information, treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological), follow-up, relations with health professionals, relations with the health system and administration. Finally, 11 recommendations on patient preferences for UC in relation to its management reached the level of agreement established.

CONCLUSION

The consensual description of patient's preferences contribute to identify different areas for improvement in healthcare practice.

Effect of joint transition visits on quality of life in adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases: a protocol for a prospective, randomised, multicentre, controlled trial (TRANS-IBD)

INTRODUCTION

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are among the most common chronic illnesses diagnosed in childhood. Transition from paediatric to adult care is a crucial phase. The implementation of joint visits during the transition period in IBD is widely recommended, however, strong evidence supporting their benefit is still missing. In this trial, we aim to prove the superiority of joint visits compared with usual care in improving transition outcomes of adolescents with IBD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This is a randomised controlled two-arm multicentre trial. A minimum of 160 adolescents with IBD aged between 16.75 and 17 years will be recruited from Hungarian tertiary IBD centres. After randomisation, eligible subjects in the intervention arm attend a total of four joint visits with adult and paediatric gastroenterologist between the ages of 17 and 18. In the control arm, adolescents meet only the paediatric gastroenterologist, but there is a balanced consultation between the two gastroenterologist regarding the patient's treatment plan. Patients in both groups receive the same training and education, the only determinative difference between the two arms is the presence of the adult gastroenterologist at the joint visits. Data will be collected at inclusion, at transfer and 12 months post-transfer. Primary outcome is the change in health-related quality of life measured with the IMPACT-III questionnaire at 1 year after transfer. Secondary outcomes include the number of patients not lost to follow-up, healthcare utilisation, disease activity, medication adherence, self-efficacy, transition readiness and patient's satisfaction. To compare the results of the two patient groups, two-sample T-test and Mann-Whitney test will be applied.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Scientific and Research Ethics Committee of the Hungarian Medical Research Council approved this study (50457-2/2019/EKU). Findings will be disseminated at conferences and in medical journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04290156.

Providing Hospitalized Ulcerative Colitis Patients With Practice Guidelines Improves Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background and aims

Variation in care has been demonstrated among hospitalized patients with ulcerative colitis. Guidelines aim to reduce variation; however, it is known that the uptake of guidelines by physicians is variable. Providing patients with guidelines is a strategy that has not been extensively studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a patient-directed educational intervention that included treatment guidelines among hospitalized ulcerative colitis patients.

Methods

We performed a quality improvement, cluster-randomized trial at seven tertiary IBD centres. Sites were randomized to implement an educational intervention or standard care for a 6-month period between January 2017 and January 2018. The educational intervention consisted of a patient-directed video that provided a summary of inpatient management guidelines for ulcerative colitis. Primary outcome measures included the length of stay and colectomy at discharge and 6 months. Patient-reported outcomes included trust in physician and patient satisfaction at discharge and at 6 months.

Results

Ninety-one patients were enrolled. No statistically significant differences in length of stay or colectomy were noted. Patients who received the intervention had higher trust in physician as measured by Trust in Physician Score at discharge (69.5 vs. 62.6, P = 0.028) and at 6 months (77.7 vs. 68, P = 0.008). Patient satisfaction as measured by the CACHE questionnaire in the intervention group was higher at discharge (72.8 vs. 67.1, P = 0.04); however, this difference was not sustained.

Conclusion

Empowering patients with guidelines through an educational intervention resulted in differences in trust in physician and patient satisfaction. Further studies are needed for evaluating a strategy of engaging IBD patients to take a more active role in their care. (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02569333).

A systematic review of the validity and reliability of patient-reported experience measures

OBJECTIVES

To identify patient-reported experience measures (PREMs), assess their validity and reliability, and assess any bias in the study design of PREM validity and reliability testing.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Articles reporting on PREM development and testing sourced from MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus databases up to March 13, 2018.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

Critical appraisal of PREM study design was undertaken using the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS). Critical appraisal of PREM validity and reliability was undertaken using a revised version of the COSMIN checklist.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Eighty-eight PREMs were identified, spanning across four main health care contexts. PREM validity and reliability was supported by appropriate study designs. Internal consistency (n = 58, 65.2 percent), structural validity (n = 49, 55.1 percent), and content validity (n = 34, 38.2 percent) were the most frequently reported validity and reliability tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful consideration should be given when selecting PREMs, particularly as seven of the 10 validity and reliability criteria were not undertaken in ≥50 percent of the PREMs. Testing PREM responsiveness should be prioritized for the application of PREMs where the end user is measuring change over time. Assessing measurement error/agreement of PREMs is important to understand the clinical relevancy of PREM scores used in a health care evaluation capacity.

Development and validation of the QUECOMIICAT questionnaire: a tool to assess disease-related knowledge in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

adequate knowledge of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is essential for a successful patient-centered management of IBD.

OBJECTIVE

due to the scarcity of up-to-date tools for measuring IBD literacy, this single-center, prospective study aimed to develop and validate a new questionnaire to assess IBD-related knowledge.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

the study included patients followed up at the Crohn-Colitis Care Unit (UACC) at the Hospital Vall d'Hebron (Barcelona, Spain). Patients admitted to the UACC for the first time were subsequently enrolled into a standard IBD educational program. A pilot questionnaire was developed and validated in 92 IBD patients by determining the internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α test), feasibility, construct validity (correlation with the Crohn's and Colitis Knowledge [CCKNOW] questionnaire and a knowledge visual analog scale [VAS]) and sensitivity (score change before and after a standard IBD educational program). The questionnaire, named "Qüestionari Coneixements Malaltia Inflamatòria Intestinal Catalunya" (IBD-knowledge questionnaire Catalonia) (QUECOMIICAT) was written in Spanish and had 25 items addressing six dimensions: general concepts, clinic, treatment, surgery, habits and social context.

RESULTS

the median (interquartile range) completion time was 15 (10-20) minutes and the floor and ceiling effects were 1.1% and 2.1%, respectively. The Cronbach's α coefficient was α = 0.75. QUECOMIICAT significantly correlated with the VAS (rho = 0.34, p < 0.01) and CCKNOW questionnaires (rho = 0.74, p < 0.01). Patient knowledge significantly increased 24 hours after attending a standard IBD educational program and remained statistically significant one month later (Pearson's test-retest correlation coefficient r = 0.81, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

in conclusion, the QUECOMIICAT questionnaire is a new up-to-date tool to assess IBD-related knowledge with good feasibility and validation results for use in the routine clinical practice.

Development of a Global Rating Scale for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background

The Global Rating Scale (GRS) is a web-based self-assessment quality improvement tool used to identify gaps in health care, change the focus to patient-centred care and standardize care. There are four levels of achievement ranging from basic-(D) to excellent-(A) service delivery. The goal was to develop a GRS for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to improve the quality of care for patients on a system level.

Methods

The IBD GRS was developed through an iterative process and modeled upon the successful endoscopy GRS programs in the United Kingdom and Canada. Dimensions, items and statements were drafted based on expert opinions, patient-informed quality indicators and best available evidence, then reviewed and modified by a core committee. A working group of IBD and GRS experts voted in-person to establish consensus on the inclusion and quality of statements.

Results

Two dimensions (Clinical Quality and Quality of Patient Experience), 10 items and 89 statements made up the IBD GRS. There was a 100% response rate for each of the 40 votes for statements in the IBD GRS. All statements within each level received a mean rating score between four (agree) and five (strongly agree). Revisions agreed upon during the voting process were incorporated into the IBD GRS. Group consensus was achieved on the inclusion of statements, and 10 items were selected as standards within the two dimensions.

Conclusions

We have developed the first IBD GRS with the aim of improving quality of care through ongoing evaluations and improvements by health care teams, focusing on patient-centred care.

Satisfaction and expectations of patients with inflammatory bowel disease on biologic therapy: a multicenter study

Background

The satisfaction perceived by patients with chronic diseases affects clinical outcomes and healthcare costs. Some patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) develop a more severe form requiring biologic therapy. We assessed the quality of care perceived by IBD patients in dedicated centers.

Methods

This prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study enrolled consecutive IBD patients who underwent biologic therapy in the participating centers. The nurses directly involved in the management of these patients explained the rationale of the survey, provided a specific questionnaire (CACHE), and collected data. The CACHE included 31 items structured in 6 domains: staff care, clinician care, center facilities, patient information, accessibility, and patient support. Patients’ satisfaction score for each domain ranged from 0 to 100%.

Results

Sixteen different Italian centers participated and a total of 450 patients were enrolled (283 with Crohn’s disease and 167 with ulcerative colitis). The overall score was 82.2±19.6, satisfaction with the clinicians care scoring the highest (87.6±3.2) and the information provided to the patient scoring the lowest (70.7±7.9). More specifically, it emerged that 5.2-19.5% of patients were unsatisfied with: 1) the communication between the IBD medical team and primary care physicians; 2) information received about the disease or patients’ associations; and 3) the accessibility of the center.

Conclusion

Although our data revealed an acceptably high rate of global satisfaction among IBD patients receiving biologic therapy, more effort should be made to improve patient information and communication between IBD teams, other specialists and primary care physicians.

Assessing overall patient satisfaction in inflammatory bowel disease using structural equation modeling

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a very popular data-analytic technique for the evaluation of customer satisfaction. We aimed to measure the overall satisfaction of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with healthcare in Portugal and to define its main determinants using SEM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included three steps: (i) specification of a patient satisfaction model that included the following dimensions: Image, Expectations, Facilities, Admission process, Assistant staff, Nursing staff, Medical staff, Treatment, Inpatient care, Outpatient care, Overall quality, Overall satisfaction, and Loyalty; (ii) sample survey from 2000 patients, members of the Portuguese Association of the IBD; and (iii) estimation of the satisfaction model using partial least squares (XLSTAT-PLSPM).

RESULTS

We received 498 (25%) valid questionnaires from 324 (66%) patients with Crohn's disease and 162 (33%) patients with ulcerative colitis. Our model provided a substantial explanation for Overall satisfaction (R=0.82). The mean index of overall satisfaction was 74.4 (0-100 scale). The main determinants of Overall satisfaction were the Image (β=0.26), Outpatient care (β=0.23), and Overall quality (β=0.21), whose mean indices were 83, 75, and 81, respectively. Facilities and Inpatient care were the variables with a significant impact on Overall satisfaction and the worst mean indices.

CONCLUSION

SEM is useful for the evaluation of IBD patient satisfaction. The Overall satisfaction of IBD patients with healthcare in Portugal is good, but to increase it, IBD services need to focus on the improvement of Outpatient care, Facilities, and Inpatient care. Our model could be a matrix for a global model of IBD patient satisfaction.

Systematic review of health-related quality of life measures for inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Several measures have been developed to assess the health-related quality of life [HRQoL] of patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Our aim is to systematically review the HRQoL measures specific for patients with IBD and to appraise their measurement properties and methodological quality.

METHODS

We searched the PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases for original articles describing the development and/or evaluation of one or more of the measurement properties [e.g. internal consistency, reliability, validity, responsiveness] of HRQoL measures specific for IBD. We assessed the measurement properties and examined the methodological quality of the measurement properties of each instrument using a standardized checklist.

RESULTS

We examined the full text of 75 articles that we deemed potentially eligible and identified 10 disease-specific HRQoL measures in IBD that covered different aspects of patients' lives. Internal consistency, construct validity, and content validity were the commonly evaluated measurement properties. Seven HRQoL measures scored positive for at least four of eight measurement properties. The majority of studies were rated as 'fair' to 'poor' when assessing their methodology quality. The most established HRQoL measure in the literature was the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire [IBDQ].

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the included HRQoL measures did not include all the required measurement properties or had a problem with their methodological quality. The most widely used and validated measure was the IBDQ. Further validation studies are required to support the use of other HRQoL measures.

Patients' perceptions, attitudes, and experiences about the management of mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis

OBJECTIVE

To establish the perceptions, attitudes, experiences, and satisfaction with clinical management of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, particularly in aspects related to treatment.

METHODS

A qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study. A discussion group was performed in patients who were in remission according to the criteria of the Mayo index, who had never taken biologics or corticosteroids in the past year. They were selected by: course (mild/moderate), time since onset (under 5 years/ 5 to 9 years/ 10 years or more), follow-up area (primary care [PC]-hospital/PC-specialist care/hospital), treatment (yes/no), UC care unit (yes/no), belongs to patient associations (yes/no) and sex. A descriptive-interpretative content analysis was performed to detect emerging categories, providing them with an explanatory framework.

RESULTS

Diagnostic delay was detected due to lack of clinical suspicion from PC and delayed diagnostic tests. For follow-up, patients prefer care on demand, channeled through remote care, which helps to resolve questions, problems with treatment, or when a relapse occurs, minimizing visits to the hospital. They demand more information, both about UC and treatment. The expectations about treatments are limited, so they mainly requested efficacy and safety.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest the importance of developing strategies to facilitate care on demand and remote care, and to investigate on effective and safe treatments to minimize the detriment to quality of life of patients. These strategies should guarantee fast care and, together with safe and effective treatments, optimize the management of UC patients.

Measuring satisfaction with health care in young persons with inflammatory bowel disease--an instrument development and validation study

Background

Patient satisfaction is a relevant prognostic factor in young persons with chronic disease and may be both age and disease specific. To assess health care quality from the patient’s view in young persons with inflammatory bowel disease, an easy to use, valid, reliable and informative specific instrument was needed.

Methods

All parts of the study were directed at persons with inflammatory bowel disease aged 15 to 24 (“youth”). A qualitative internet patient survey was used to generate items, complemented by a physician survey and literature search. A 2nd internet survey served to reduce items based on perceived importance and representativeness. Following pilot testing to assess ease of use and face validity, 150 respondents to a postal survey in patients from a paediatric clinical registry were included for validation analyses. Construct validity was assessed by relating summary scores to results from global questions on satisfaction with care using ANOVA. To assess test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), a subset of patients were assessed twice within 3 months.

Results

302 persons with IBD and 55 physicians participated in the item generating internet survey, resulting in 3,954 statements. After discarding redundancies 256 statements were presented in the 2nd internet survey. Of these, 32 items were retained. The resulting instrument assesses both the perceived relevance (importance) of an item as well as the performance of the care giver for each item for calculation of a summary satisfaction score (range 0 to 1). Sensibility testing showed good acceptance for most items. Construct validity was good, with mean scores of 0.63 (0.50 to 0.76), 0.71 (0.69 to 0.74) and 0.81 (0.79 to 0.83) for no, some and good global satisfaction (ANOVA, p < 0.001). Test-retest reliability was satisfactory (ICC 0.6 to 0.7).

Conclusions

We developed an easy to use, patient oriented, valid instrument to assess satisfaction with care in young persons with IBD for use in survey research.