Quality Of Instruments Research Articles

Estimating near-roadway air pollution from multi-frequency noise measurements

Air pollution is a major environmental problem and its monitoring is essential for regulatory purposes, policy making, and protecting public health. However, dense networks of air quality monitoring equipment are prohibitively expensive due to equipment costs, labor requirements, and infrastructure needs. As a result, alternative lower-cost methods that reliably determine air quality levels near potent pollution sources such as freeways are desirable. We present an approach that couples noise frequency measurements with machine learning to estimate near-roadway particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and black carbon (BC) at 1-min temporal resolution. The models were based on data collected by co-located noise and air quality instruments near a busy freeway in Long Beach, California. Model performance was excellent for all three pollutants, e.g., NO2 predictions yielded Pearson's R = 0.87 with a root mean square error of 7.2 ppb; this error represents about 10 % of total morning rush hour concentrations. Among the best air pollutant predictors were noise frequencies at 40 Hz, 500 Hz, and 800 Hz, and meteorology, particularly wind direction. Overall, our method potentially provides a cost-effective and efficient approach to estimating and/or supplementing near-road air pollutant concentrations in urban areas at high temporal resolution.

Standardization use of the international classification of functioning, disability and health in the determination of health status in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

Purpose To propose a standardized method for the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe the health status in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) and investigate interrater agreement in the linking process in instruments and clinical exams using the ICF categories. Materials and Methods Cross-sectional and interrater agreement study that followed the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. Two raters performed the linking coding process in instruments of quality of life, anxiety and depression, fatigue and pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The codes were qualified by standards defined to each instrument and exams. Results The instrument with the lowest Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was anxiety and depression (k = 0.57). Forty ICF codes were linked to clinical instruments and exams. The fatigue instrument presented a higher degree of disability by the qualification process, from severe to complete, in the linked codes. Conclusion The study presents a standardized method for the assessment of the health status of patients with PACS through ICF. Restriction in work performance, socialization and family relationships as well as disabilities in physical endurance, fatigue and exercise tolerance were found in the sample. The agreement between the raters was moderate to perfect, demonstrating that the method can be reproducible.

Limitations of existing park quality instruments and suggestions for future research

Public parks are critical urban infrastructures offering health, environmental, social, and cultural benefits to people. However, the idea of park quality has lacked a clear operational definition and normative standard for measurement. We provide critical insights into existing park quality instruments and advocate for an alternative approach. First, due to the significant diversity in parks, inherent ambiguity and subjectivity in the idea of quality, and previous instruments’ inconsistent operationalizations of park quality, we recommend that future research shift its focus from creating instruments for universal application and standardized measurement to developing an inventory or list of park quality indicators that researchers and practitioners can selectively choose for their unique park contexts. Second, through our multidisciplinary examination, we identify five limitations in existing park quality instruments: (1) lack of attention to the histories of marginalized communities, (2) overemphasis on physical activities and public health, (3) lack of attention to ecological function and biodiversity, (4) lack of subjective measurements, and (5) insufficient consideration of multiple parks or a park system. Overall, a more flexible and site-specific approach to park quality measurement and the adoption of new indicators of park quality are expected to accomplish a more comprehensive and fairer assessment of park quality, contributing to park equity research and practice.

TikTok misinformation and user engagement in female pelvic floor conditions.

Social media platforms are increasingly utilized to distribute medical information. Our study emphasizes the need for accuracy in pelvic health education on social media and the involvement of female pelvic floor (FPF) specialistsin content creation. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the FPFTikTok videos with the highest engagement for quality of information and misinformation and investigated the relationship between misinformation and user engagement. We collected all TikTok videos on the USapp with hashtags related to FPFconditions, including 76 on pelvic organ prolapse, 323 on urinary tract infection, 84 on overactive bladder, and 972 on incontinence. The top 20 videos for each FPF condition were selected based on highest engagement, and 74 videos total met inclusion criteria. TikTok videos were scored with the validated DISCERN instrument for quality of consumer health information and a 5-point Likert scale for misinformation. The correlation between misinformation and user engagement was assessed. Our analysis revealed positive correlations among higher average misinformation scores and shares (r = 0.37, p < 0.001), likes (r = 0.23, p = 0.004), and overall engagement (r = 0.25, p = 0.002) in FPF TikTok videos as a group, likely driven by the #UTI category. Most TikTok videos (96%) had poor quality of information (DISCERN score < 3), and 18% of TikTok videos contained misinformation. The poor quality and prevalence of misinformation inFPF-relatedTikTok videos with the highest engagement raise concerns about the propagation of nonevidence-based health information.

User Experience (UX) with Mobile Devices: A Comprehensive Model to Demonstrate the Relative Importance of Instrumental, Non-Instrumental, and Emotional Components on User Satisfaction

Despite growing interest in User Experience (UX), the empirical testing of UX models, particularly the interdependence of UX dimensions and their impact on user satisfaction, remains limited. This study fills this gap by examining a UX model for smartwatch and smartphone users through an online survey and partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis. Our findings reveal that both instrumental and non-instrumental qualities, alongside the emotions elicited by mobile devices, are interconnected and crucial to users. Notably, instrumental qualities tend to elicit negative emotions, whereas non-instrumental qualities elicit predominantly positive emotions. The observed relationships among various UX factors and user satisfaction underscore the significance of the proposed UX model and, more broadly, highlight the importance of UX research in deciphering the psychological processes encountered when individuals interact with technology.

Psychometric properties of disease-specific health-related quality of life instruments for food allergy: A COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments-based systematic review.

Food allergies severely impact the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients and their caregivers (family or informal caregivers). Currently there is no comprehensive review to provide an overview and critical assessment of the instruments in the field. Six databases were searched from inception until 10 August 2023, and a combination of subject terms and free words was used to search the literature. We used the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments methodology (COSMIN) to evaluate the measurement properties of the instruments. Forty-one studies reported on ten eligible instruments. Based on COSMIN guidelines, one instrument was recommended for Grade A, and the remaining nine instruments were recommended for Grade B. The Grade A instrument identified, the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Parent Form (FAQLQ-PF), can help researchers assess the effectiveness of treatment for patients with food allergy and to understand the psychosocial impact of the disease on patients.

How well do we measure the impact of bowel dysfunction on health-related quality of life after rectal cancer surgery?

BackgroundRectal cancer surgery risks causing bowel dysfunction, which has an important impact on health-related quality of life. The validity of generic tools used to measure health-related quality of life after bowel dysfunction is unclear. This study aimed to determine the content validity of health-related quality-of-life measurement tools in rectal cancer. MethodsThis was a qualitative single-center study in which adult patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery with sphincter preservation from July 2017 to October 2020 were recruited. Patients were excluded if they developed local metastasis, required a permanent stoma, or had surgery <1 year since recruitment. Telephone-based semi-structured interviews were conducted. Bowel dysfunction was measured using the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome score. Content analysis was achieved using the International Classification of Functioning framework. ResultsRecurrent bowel dysfunction-related concepts included “Mental functions,” “Defecation functions,” “Emotional functions,” “Recreation and leisure,” “Intimate relationships,” and “Remunerative employment.” A mean of 7.5 recurrent bowel dysfunction-related concepts were identified within the health-related quality of life instruments analyzed. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-C30 (n = 11) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (n = 9) covered the greatest number of recurrent bowel dysfunction-related concepts. Concepts such as “Mental functions,” “Urination functions,” “Sexual functions,” “Driving,” and “Mobility” were not covered by any instrument. ConclusionThe content of traditional health-related quality-of-life instruments is missing important areas that represent the impact of bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery on health-related quality of life. These findings could help improve patient-centered care in rectal cancer surgery.

YouTube as a reliable source of information on antibody drug conjugates: A qualitative analysis.

9050 Background: YouTube is an open-access source of information which can serve a platform for health information and misinformation. Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADC) are a novel therapy that utilizes monoclonal antibodies to target antigens expressed on cancer cells, thus delivering cytotoxic agents specifically to malignant cells and minimizing toxic effects on healthy cells. Our study sought to assess the quality and engagement parameters of the 100 most viewed videos on YouTube regarding ADCs. Methods: A YouTube search was conducted with the keywords “Antibody Drug Conjugate” and “cancer”. The videos were sorted by the highest number of views. Duplicates and videos not in the English language were excluded. A total of 100 videos were included in the final analysis. They were organized into three categories: academic, commercial, and media. Next, they were assessed for quality using two validated quality instruments, the DISCERN and PEMAT scoring systems. The number of views, comments, and likes were also evaluated. A Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics using R Studio v2002.12.0-353 was then used to generate data. Results: The total number of views on the videos on YouTube regarding ADC was 95,969 with a (median number of views of 723.5). The videos were categorized into 71% from academic sources, 28% from commercial, and 1% from media sources. The mean DISCERN sum was 41.13. The number of YouTube videos that were rated as poor or very poor were 44%, followed by 33% that was rated as fair, and only 23% were rated as good or excellent. 21% videos discussed risks and benefits, while only 6 % of the videos provided support in shared decision making. 63% of the videos stated the aims clearly. Based on the PEMAT score, 87% of videos made their purpose evident, 34% summarized the videos, and 31% explained how to use the medication. There was a significant positive correlation in number of likes on videos and DISCERN score (r 0.253, 95% CI 0.06-0.428, p 0.011), PEMAT understandability score (r 0.197, 95% CI 0.00063-0.379, p 0.0494), and PEMAT accountability (r 0.2, 95% CI 0.00368-0.381, p 0.0461). There was also a positive correlation between length of video and DISCERN score (r 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.49, p&lt;0.001), PEMAT understandability score (r 0.23, 95% CI 0.04-0.41, p 0.01), and PEMAT actionability score (r 0.4, 95% CI 0.31-0.62, p &lt;0.001). Conclusions: Our analysis revealed that the overall quality of videos was suboptimal, with the majority categorized as poor or fair. Important aspects such as risks, benefits and shared decision-making were inadequately addressed, indicating a potential gap in patient education and informed decision-making. Although longer videos have positive correlation, it would be impactful to keep the duration of the video shorter. Efforts to promote high-quality, patient-centered educational content on ADCs are needed to ensure access to reliable information to support treatment decisions.

A Decision Aid for Patients Considering Surgery for Sciatica: Codesign and User-Testing With Patients and Clinicians.

Surgery can help patients with leg pain caused by sciatica recover faster, but by 12 months outcomes are similar to nonsurgical management. For many the decision to have surgery may require reflection, and patient decision aids are an evidence-based clinical tool that can help guide patients through this decision. The aim of this study was to develop and refine a decision aid for patients with sciatica who are deciding whether to have surgery or 'wait and see' (i.e., try nonsurgical management first). Semistructured interviews with think-aloud user-testing protocol. Twenty clinicians and 20 patients with lived experience of low back pain or sciatica. Items from Technology Acceptance Model, Preparation for Decision Making Scale and Decision Quality Instrument for Herniated Disc 2.0 (knowledge instrument). The prototype integrated relevant research with working group perspectives, decision aid standards and health literacy guidelines. The research team refined the prototype through seven rounds of user-testing, which involved discussing user-testing feedback and implementing changes before progressing to the next round. As a result of working group feedback, the decision aid was divided into sections: before, during and after a visit to the surgeon. Across all rounds of user-testing, clinicians rated the resource 5.9/7 (SD = 1.0) for perceived usefulness, and 6.0/7 for perceived ease of use (SD = 0.8). Patients reported the decision aid was easy to understand, on average correctly answering 3.4/5 knowledge questions (SD = 1.2) about surgery for sciatica. The grade reading score for the website was 9.0. Patients scored highly on preparation for decision-making (4.4/5, SD = 0.7), suggesting strong potential to empower patients. Interview feedback showed that patients and clinicians felt the decision aid would encourage question-asking and help patients reflect on personal values. Clinicians found the decision aid acceptable, patients found it was easy to understand and both groups felt it would empower patients to actively engage in their care and come to an informed decision that aligned with personal values. Input from the working group and user-testing was crucial for ensuring that the decision aid met patient and clinician needs. Patients and clinicians contributed to prototype development via the working group.

Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Impact on Quality of Life and Instruments for Its Measurement

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a major complication of diabetes mellitus, significantly impacting patients' quality of life (QoL) due to the heightened risk of infection and amputation. Pharmacists play a crucial role in managing diabetes and its complications, and assessing QoL can be a valuable tool for monitoring treatment success and medication effectiveness. This review explores instruments used to measure QoL in patients with DFUs, encompassing both general and disease-specific tools. We examine the impact of DFUs on QoL and discuss various theoretical frameworks used to understand this complex relationship.

Development of Measurement Instruments for Teachers’ Lifelong Learning Mindset, Learning Habits and Self-Directed Learning

Lifelong learning is a crucial process that contributes to the continuous professional advancement opportunities for teachers. To promote teachers as lifelong learners, it is essential to leverage comprehensive insights into key mobilizing factors for lifelong learning, including a Lifelong Learning Mindset, Learning Habits, and Self-Directed Learning. This research aims to 1) develop measurement instruments for teachers’ Lifelong Learning Mindset, Learning Habits, and Self-Directed Learning, and to 2) examine the quality of the measurement instruments, including the establishment of norms for all three variables. The research sample consisted of 943 elementary school teachers, selected using stratified random sampling. The measurement instrument consisted of a questionnaire containing 35 items each utilizing a 5-point rating scale. The research findings show that item content validity ratio (CVR) values for each of the instrument subscales ranged between .71 and 1.00, while the content validity index (S-CVI) value for the entire scale was .97. The internal consistency reliability values for the individual variable subscales ranged from .925 to .963, while the construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) as measured by the Mplus program showed that the measurement model fit the empirical data at the .05 significance level. This study also established percentile norms for the developed instruments.

Carbon based sensors for air quality monitoring networks; middle east perspective.

IoT-based Sensors networks play a pivotal role in improving air quality monitoring in the Middle East. They provide real-time data, enabling precise tracking of pollution trends, informed decision-making, and increased public awareness. Air quality and dust pollution in the Middle East region may leads to various health issues, particularly among vulnerable populations. IoT-based Sensors networks help mitigate health risks by offering timely and accurate air quality data. Air pollution affects not only human health but also the region's ecosystems and contributes to climate change. The economic implications of deteriorated air quality include healthcare costs and decreased productivity, underscore the need for effective monitoring and mitigation. IoT-based data can guide policymakers to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, clean water, and climate action. The conventional monitor based standard air quality instruments provide limited spatial coverage so there is strong need to continue research integrated with low-cost sensor technologies to make air quality monitoring more accessible, even in resource-constrained regions. IoT-based Sensors networks monitoring helps in understanding these environmental impacts. Among these IoT-based Sensors networks, sensors are of vital importance. With the evolution of sensors technologies, different types of sensors materials are available. Among this carbon based sensors are widely used for air quality monitoring. Carbon nanomaterial-based sensors (CNS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as adsorbents exhibit unique capabilities in the measurement of air pollutants. These sensors are used to detect gaseous pollutants that includes oxides of nitrogen and Sulphur, and ozone, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This study provides comprehensive review of integration of carbon nanomaterials based sensors in IoT based network for better air quality monitoring and exploring the potential of machine learning and artificial intelligence for advanced data analysis, pollution source identification, integration of satellite and ground-based networks and future forecasting to design effective mitigation strategies. By prioritizing these recommendations, the Middle East and other regions, can further leverage IoT-based systems to improve air quality monitoring, safeguard public health, protect the environment, and contribute to sustainable development in the region.

Structure-function relationship of oat flour fractions when blended with wheat flour: Instrumental and nutritional quality characterization of resulting breads.

The present work investigated the structure-function relationship of dry fractionated oat flour (DFOF) as a techno-functional ingredient using bread as a model system. Mechanically, DFOF fractions (F), that is, F1: <224µm, F2: 250-280µm, F3: 280-500µm, F4: 500-600µm, and whole oat flour (F5) were blended with white wheat flour at 10%, 30%, and 50% substitution levels for bread making. The blended flours, doughs, and bread samples were assessed for their techno-functional, nutritional, and structural characteristics. The results of Mixolab and the Rapid Visco Analyzer show that the 50% substituted F3 fraction exhibits the highest water absorption properties (69.53%), whereas the 50% F1 fraction exhibits the highest peak viscosity of the past slurry. Analysis of bread samples revealed a lower particle size of DFOF fractions and higher supplementation levels, increased β-glucan levels (0.13-1.29g/100 bread (db), reduced fermentable monosaccharides, that is, glucose (1.44-0.33g/100g), and fructose (1.06-0.28g/100g). The effect of particle size surpassed the substitution level effect on bread volume reduction. The lowest hardness value for F1 is 10%, and the highest value for F2 is 50%. The total number of cells in the bread slice decreased from the control to the F4 fraction (50%). Multi-criteria analysis indicated that DFOF fractions produced breads with similar structure and higher nutritional value developed from white wheat flour. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The use of mechanically fractionated oat flours fractions in white wheat flour breads can improve the nutritional profile without affecting the physical properties of the bread product. Based on the oat flour fractions, bakers and food processing companies can tailor the bread formulations for high β-glucan, high fiber, and low reduced sugar claims.

Integrating online learning into service quality assessment in higher-education its influence on student satisfaction

PurposeOnline learning gained ground during the pandemic and has continued to be used in the post-Covid era. Items related to online learning should be included in service quality assessment. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of service quality, which includes the online learning dimension, on student satisfaction in higher-education in a blended learning environment.Design/methodology/approachA total of 452 valid questionnaires were collected from business undergraduate students enrolled in public universities in Greece. A modified version of HEdPERF is used to evaluate service quality. Due to the extensive use of online learning, an additional dimension was added to the HEdPERF scale which focuses on online education, a field that has not yet been widely examined. Structural equation modeling is used to examine the relationships between service quality, and student satisfaction.FindingsThe research findings verify the six-structure scale of the HEdPERF instrument (non-academic aspects, academic aspects, reputation, access and programs issues and online learning), providing satisfactory results in terms of reliability and validity tests. Service quality dimensions such as academic aspects, access, program issues and online learning are the influential dimensions of student satisfaction in a blended learning context.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has expanded traditional service quality instruments to include the dimension of service quality of online learning.

An evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Australian Collaborative Practice Assessment Tool

Objectives This study aimed to validate the Collaborative Practice Assessment Tool (CPAT) in the Australian setting and provide a quality instrument in terms of psychometric properties that can be used to measure interprofessional outcomes for both healthcare practitioners and students. The outcomes evaluated include the capacity to work in an interprofessional team, good interprofessional communication skills, leadership skills, ensuring clear division of tasks and roles in a team, effective conflict management, and being actively involved with patients and their families/communities in care. Methods The COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) taxonomy and standards were used as guides for evaluating the psychometric properties of the Australian CPAT, which include evaluations regarding instrument development requirements of sample target and size, content validity, internal structure (structural validity, internal consistency reliability and measurement invariance), and hypotheses testing. CPAT Australia was developed through two stages involving pilot studies and a validation study, both of which included healthcare practitioners and students as participants. A pilot study examined content validity regarding item relevance, item comprehensibility, and instrument comprehensiveness. The validation study was carried out to assess the internal structure of CPAT Australia for aspects of structural validity, internal consistency reliabilities, and configural, metric and scalar measurement invariance. The structural validity was explored using the following three steps: exploratory, confirmatory, and multi-group factor analysis. Construct validity was evaluated to confirm direct and indirect paths of assumptions based on a previously validated model. Data collected between August 2021 and May 2022. Results The content validity evaluation confirmed that all items were relevant, understandable and comprehensive for measuring interprofessional collaborative care in Australia. Three hundred ninety-nine participants contributed to the validation study (n=152 practitioners; n=247 students). The original instrument model of 8-Factor 56-Item was improved in the Australian CPAT. Two items, Item 27 (Physicians assume the ultimate responsibility) and Item 49 (Final decision rest with the physician), were consistently rejected and therefore discarded. The internal structure of the 7-Factor 54-Item solution was confirmed as a suitable model with fit indices meeting COSMIN standards for a good model in practitioner and student cohorts. Configural, metric and scalar invariances were confirmed, indicating the invariance of the instruments when used for the practitioner and student cohorts. The construct validity evaluation indicated that 81.3% of direct and indirect assumptions were accepted, fulfilling the COSMIN requirement of &gt;75% of proposed assumptions being accepted. Conclusion The Australian CPAT with a 7-factor 54-item solution was confirmed as a quality measure for assessing interprofessional education and collaborative practice for both healthcare practitioners and students in Australia with robust psychometric properties.

Development and validation of the osteoporosis scale among the system of quality of life instruments for chronic diseases QLICD-OS (V2.0)

BackgroundQuality of life of osteoporosis patients had caused widespread concern, due to high incidence and difficulty to cure. Scale specifics for osteoporosis and suitable for Chinese cultural background lacked. This study aimed to develop an osteoporosis scale in Quality of Life Instruments for Chronic Diseases system, namely QLICD-OS (V2.0).MethodsProcedural decision-making approach of nominal group, focus group and modular approach were adopted. Our scale was developed based on experience of establishing scales at home and abroad. In this study, Quality of life measurements were performed on 127 osteoporosis patients before and after treatment to evaluate the psychometric properties. Validity was evaluated by qualitative analysis, item-domain correlation analysis, multi-scaling analysis and factor analysis; the SF-36 scale was used as criterion to carry out correlation analysis for criterion-related validity. The reliability was evaluated by the internal consistency coefficients Cronbach’s α, test-retest reliability Pearson correlation r. Paired t-tests were performed on data of ​​the scale before and after treatment, with Standardized Response Mean (SRM) being calculated to evaluate the responsiveness.ResultsThe QLICD-OS, composed of a general module (28 items) and an osteoporosis-specific module (14 items), had good content validity. Correlation analysis and factor analysis confirmed the construct, with the item having a strong correlation (most > 0.40) with its own domains/principle components, and a weak correlation (< 0.40) with other domains/principle components. Correlation coefficient between the similar domains of QLICD-OS and SF-36 showed reasonable criterion-related validity, with all coefficients r being greater than 0.40 exception of physical function of SF-36 and physical domain of QLICD-OS (0.24). Internal consistency reliability of QLICD-OS in all domains was greater than 0.7 except the specific module. The test–retest reliability coefficients (Pearson r) in all domains and overall score are higher than 0.80. Score changes after treatment were statistically significant, with SRM ranging from 0.35 to 0.79, indicating that QLICD-OS could be rated as medium responsiveness.ConclusionAs the first osteoporosis-specific quality of life scale developed by the modular approach in China, the QLICD-OS showed good reliability, validity and medium responsiveness, and could be used to measure quality of life in osteoporosis patients.

Developing and validating an assessment tool to measure climate change knowledge among middle school students: preliminary findings in a Spanish context

Considering the crucial role of education in offering mitigation and adaptation strategies for climate change, there is a clear need for objective tools to assess its impact on the understanding of the issue among secondary school students. This paper describes the methodological design used to build and validate an instrument that explores secondary education students’ climate change knowledge. The design is organized into several steps: literature and document review; item design; Expert judgment; pilot testing; and instrument quality criteria analysis. Thus, a questionnaire comprising 27 4-points Likert scale items was designed. Two rounds of pilot testing and statistical analyses were conducted on the difficulty indexes, factor analysis, Spearman coefficient (flit-half method), and alpha coefficient. The result is an instrument with a degree of feasibility, validity and reliability suitable for comparative research as was found in a Spanish macro-study involving 6398 secondary school students. Preliminary results for the Spanish context are offered.

Review on Competency Assessment Instrumentation in Computer-based Simulation

AbstractComputer-based simulation is utilised across various educational fields, employing diverse technologies to facilitate practical understanding of content and the acquisition of skills that can help close the gap between theory and practice. The possibility of providing scenarios that resemble on-the-job tasks, enables instructors to both train and assess the trainee’s comprehension of the tasks at hand. The practices as well as the technologies for the assessment of simulation-based training vary across disciplines. Our motivation is to address quality procedures from a cross-discipline perspective. There seems to be a lack of scientific investigation that takes one step back from the specific application and investigates how assessment instruments can be developed to fit training outcomes regardless of the professional discipline. This scoping literature review on empirical studies aims to do so by exploring how competency is assessed with computer-based simulation. Objectives to achieve this are: (1) apply established training research theory to structure a decomposition of assessment instruments; to (2) review approaches to assessments factored over this structure; and (3) discuss quality procedures taken in the creation of the reported instruments and then propose an approach to assessment instrumentation that can be applied independent of discipline, with the range of current technology, and for any focal outcome competency. By reviewing a spectrum of fields, we capture reported assessment practices across a range of currently employed technologies. This literature review combines the methods of a scoping review with the qualities of a systematic literature review while keeping to conventional reporting guidelines. This allowed us to provide insight into current approaches and research designs that applied measurements in the range from automated assessment to observer rating of simulation-based training in professional work settings. This study found that all reviewed studies measured skill-based outcomes with some variation and that there is more theoretical and empirical work to be done to close the gap on quality instrumentation and its validity evidence. Our contribution to the field of training research is the operationalized component structure and the synthesised approach to instrumentation that could offer researchers and practitioners guidance and inspiration to develop and conduct quality assessments in competency development.

Development and Initial Validation of a Meniere's Disease Quality of Life Instrument: The MenQOL.

To design and validate a disease-specific quality of life instrument for Meniere's disease. We used a sequential process of expert input, patient focus groups, and analyses of responses to draft questionnaires to create a 24-item Meniere's disease quality of life (MenQOL) instrument. The MenQOL and the SF-36v2 were administered to a cohort of 50 patients with Meniere's disease and 60 comparison patients with tinnitus, vertigo, or hearing loss from other causes identified at a tertiary academic center. We performed exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's α, between group comparisons of total MenQOL scores, and regression analyses between the MenQOL and SF-36v2 to evaluate the instrument's factor structure, internal consistency, face validity, and external validity. Segregation of the instrument into domains was assessed by exploratory factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the MenQOL has a single domain. Cronbach's α = 0.914 indicated high internal consistency for the instrument as a whole. Mean MenQOL scores showing significantly worse quality of life among patients with Meniere's disease than comparison participants (52.5 ± 15.8 vs. 43.2 ± 12.6; p = 0.0051), indicating good construct validity. Significant inverse relationships in bivariate linear regressions between total MenQOL scores and SF-36v2 physical (slope = -0.94, p < 0.0001) and mental (slope = -1.16, p < 0.0001) composite scores showed acceptable concurrent validity. We have described the initial development of the MenQOL, a simple, valid patient-reported outcome measure that, subject to further study, may be used to assess the effects of treatment on disease-specific quality of life in patients with Meniere's disease. 3 Laryngoscope, 134:4351-4357, 2024.

Quality of life and eating behavior of patients indicated and undergoing bariatric surgery/gastroplasty

Objective: to describe and compare the quality of life, socioeconomic/cultural characteristics and eating behavior of individuals indicated and undergoing bariatric surgery/gastroplasty. Method: cross-sectional descriptive study, with 154 individuals, divided into three groups: 32 in the pre-surgical period (Group 1), 68 in the post-surgical period of up to one year (Group 2), and 54 in the post-surgical period greater than one year (Group 3).The participants responded electronically to the instruments/questionnaires: 1) Identification form; 2) Questionnaire on dietary behavior and the anatomofunctional conditions of the stomatognatic system; 3) World Health Organization's Abbreviated Quality of Life Assessment - WHOQOL-bref. Results: most participants, general and by groups, were in the fourth decade of life, were female, married, Catholic, seeking health/quality of life/self-esteem as motivation for the surgical procedure. Surgery in the private sector prevailed, and the Bypass was the most performed surgery. The groups differ in relation to the amount of food consumed, the ability to taste the food, chewing, and knowledge about speech therapy. For all domains and total outcome of the quality of life instrument, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups, and this difference was applied to the comparison between G1 and G2 (p=0.00) and G1 and G3 (p=0.00). Individuals who consider themselves overweight present average lower scores for the Physical, Psychological domains and total result of the instrument. Conclusion: Individuals of G1 present worse results in relation to: 1) quality of life when compared to those of G2 and G3; 2) food behavior in general when compared to those of G2 and G3, mainly in relation to: amount of food consumed per meal, taste of food, chewing and knowledge of speech science.