Pilot Testing and Vernacular Translation of EORTC Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PATSAT-C33 and OUT-PATSAT7) at a Tertiary Care Cancer Center in India

Abstract

Purpose Pilot testing and translation of the English version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) patient satisfaction cancer core questionnaire (PATSAT-C33) and complementary outpatient module (OUT-PATSAT7) into two Indian vernacular languages (Hindi and Marathi). Methods Patients undergoing fractionated radiotherapy for cancer with basic proficiency in respective language were included in the study after written informed consent. The English version of EORTC PATSAT-C33 and OUT-PATSAT7 questionnaire was pilot tested in 20 patients. The questionnaire was then translated into two Indian vernacular languages (Hindi and Marathi) using EORTC translation methodology. This included forward-translation by two independent professional translators into target languages (Hindi and Marathi) to create an intermediate version; back-translation into English by another independent pair of linguistic experts; and harmonization by comparing back-translated versions (English) to the original English version for reconciliation. The EORTC translation group provided suggestions and proofread the reconciliated versions (Hindi and Marathi) which were then administered to 20 patients in each language. Semistructured interviews were conducted for patients to identify problems in understanding the translation versions to make appropriate corrections/modifications to the questionnaire. Results Pilot testing of English version of PATSAT-C33 and OUT-PATSAT7 did not pose any major difficulty leading to subsequent translation into both target languages (Hindi and Marathi). Reconciliated version of the translated questionnaires was arrived at after incorporating suggestions and proofreading by the EORTC translation group. Pilot testing of the reconciliated questionnaires (Hindi and Marathi) did not identify major problems in understanding, difficult/confusing words, or upsetting questions leading to the adoption of the reconciliated version as final translated questionnaire without further modifications. Conclusion The English version of PATSAT-C33 and OUT-PATSAT7 has been successfully translated into Hindi and Marathi languages using standardized EORTC methodology. Psychometric properties of the same are currently being tested for validation in a larger Indian cohort.