Test-Retest Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Health Leads Screening Tool in Outpatient Orthopedic Physical Therapy Patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Health Leads Screening Tool. DESIGN: Primary survey data collected between September 2021 and May 2022 with participants who received outpatient orthopedic physical therapy in a public hospital system. Participants completed the Health Leads Screening Tool (HLST) and the Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patients’ Assets, Risks, and Experiences (PRAPARE) at 1 physical therapy visit to examine the concurrent validity of the HLST. They completed the HLST again at a follow-up visit to examine its test-retest reliability. METHODS: Paper surveys were used to collect information from participants who were over 18 years of age, spoke and read English or Spanish, and were receiving outpatient orthopedic physical therapy. Fifty-two participants completed the surveys to examine concurrent validity and 50 participants completed the surveys for test-retest reliability. Cohen’s kappa statistics were used to examine agreement. RESULTS: The HLST had excellent test-retest reliability for all 9 domains, with kappa values ranging from 0.91 to 1.00. It had greater than moderate concurrent validity (k>0.6) with the PRAPARE for 6 of 9 domains, including food, utilities, health care, transportation, employment, and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The Health Leads Screening Tool demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and moderate concurrent validity for 6 out of 9 domains and, thus, could be a feasible social needs screening tool in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy settings. JOSPT Open 2024;2(4):340-347. Epub 24 May 2024. doi:10.2519/josptopen.2024.1241