Korean version of the G-8 geriatric screening tool: Translation and linguistic validation

Abstract

ObjectiveTo develop a Korean version of the G-8 questionnaire validated with Korean patients over 70 years-of-age who were scheduled to undergo cancer surgery. Materials and MethodsWe conducted a translation study over a nine-month period from February to November 2017. Permission was received to use the original version of the G-8 questionnaire for forward translation into Korean and reconciliation, for backward translation of the translated Korean version into English, for cognitive debriefing, and final proofreading. These steps were performed in the order of translation and then language validation. Forward translation was performed independently by two translators who were fluent in Korean and English. The cognitive debriefing was carried out through interviews with ten Korean nurses who cared for the patients surveyed. ResultsIn the forward translation, “mobility” was replaced by “degree of activity”. During the reconciliation, the difference in meaning between the terms “loss of appetite” and “severe,” as determined by the two translators, was adjusted. Moreover, to achieve more natural Korean expression, some revisions were made to the questions and answers. In the backward translation, most of the forward translations were accepted without any objection. During the final proofreading, no difficulties were found in understanding the questionnaire's content, and most terms were deemed easy to understand. ConclusionThis Korean version of the G-8 questionnaire has been validated in accordance with appropriate procedures. Therefore, the questionnaire is appropriate for use as a geriatric screening tool for older patients with cancer in Korea.