Validated Assessment Tools Research Articles

Detection of cognitive impairment from eSAGE cognitive data using machine learning

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects many people worldwide. Many cognitive screening tests are available, with one example being eSAGE – a self‐administered exam (Scharre et al., 2017)1. eSAGE is a valid and reliable cognitive assessment tool to detect mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. It has been implemented as an app in BrainTest®, with sample screenshots in Figure 1. While eSAGE provides diagnostic results of its own, there is a potential to apply machine learning methods to the responses to obtain better diagnostic results.MethodeSAGE results1 and behavioral data from BrainTest® were obtained for 69 subjects, each with a diagnosis of normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia. 84 metrics were extracted, including the time that subjects spent on each test page, and drawing speed and line straightness from the construction test problems (Table 1). The hypothesis was that cognitive impaired subjects would show different behavioral patterns (e.g., spend more time on questions, change answers often) compared to those of normal cognition. Different machine learning methods including logistic regression and gradient boosting are built over the metrics to classify between cognitive impairment and normal cognition.ResultLogistic regression classifies those with cognitive impairment vs normal cognition with a recall of 100% and ROC of 75.32% and classifies those with MCI vs normal cognition with a recall of 76% and ROC of 79.45% (Table 2). The most important features (those highest weighted metrics used to differentiate the diagnostic classification) for both these classifications were similar (Table 3). Individuals with normal cognition had, on average, longer connected line segments (not lifting their finger off the tablet) when performing the Modified Trails B task (Figure 1). They also spent less time completing their verbal fluency and picture naming tasks (Table 3). See Table 2 and 3 for other findings.ConclusionBehavioral features extracted from self‐administered eSAGE with the BrainTest® app are predictive of cognitive impairment diagnosis by logistic regression and gradient boosting. Important features identified suggest executive processing time lengthens as one progresses from normal to impaired cognition.Reference 1Scharre et al. (2017). Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 9, 44.

The Case for Core Competency and Competent Corps: Using Polarity Management to Illuminate Tensions in Training.

The Case for Core Competency and Competent Corps: Using Polarity Management to Illuminate Tensions in Training.

Assessment of Core Surgical Skills Using a Mixed Reality Headset - The MoTOR Study.

Surgical skill assessment utilises direct observation and feedback by an expert which is potentially subjective, therefore obtaining objective data for hand and eye tracking is essential. Our aim was to evaluate a wearable mixed reality (MR) headset in these domains. Participants with differing levels of surgical expertise [novice (N), intermediate (I) & expert (E)] performed 4 simulated surgical tasks; 2 general dexterity (tasks 1&2) and 2 surgical skills (tasks 3&4) wearing the MR headset capturing their hand and eye movements (median & range). Metrics included hand path length and the speed of each index or thumb tip. Gaze data were also captured. Participant demographics, prior expertise and current experience were captured with an electronic survey. Data were analysed with a Shapiro-Wilk test or ANOVA as appropriate. A p-value of < 0.05 was significant. Thirty-six participants were analysed (N = 18, I = 8, E = 8). Tasks 1&2 revealed 2 speed outcomes (left index and left-hand speed) which were significant. For tasks 3&4, various outcomes were significant: path length for left hand (N:45cm vs. I:31cm vs. E:27cm, p = 0.03) and right hand (N:48cm vs. I:29cm vs. E:28cm, p = 0.01) and total time (N:456s vs. I:292 vs. E: 245, p = 0.0002). With left-hand-tying, average path length (N:61cm vs. I:39 vs. E:36, p = 0.04), average speed (N:11cm/s vs. I:23 vs. E:24, p = 0.03), and total time (N:156s vs. I:43 vs. E:37, p = 0.003) were significant. The gaze-tracking was not statistically significant. The MR headset can be utilised as a valid tool for surgical performance assessment. Outcomes including path length and speed can be valuable metrics captured by the MR Headset during the task completion for detecting surgical proficiency.

Turkish version of life balance inventory: Validity, reliability, and cultural adaptation study

Background Life balance is an important concept in occupational therapy and is considered an essential component of the outcomes of life, such as happiness, and satisfaction of needs. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Life Balance Inventory (LBI) in healthy individuals. Materials and methods The study consisted of three stages: (1) translation and cultural adaptation, (2) testing internal consistency and reliability, and (3) checking construct validity of LBI. The LBI and the Juhnke-Balkin Life Balance Inventory were implemented. Results The study was completed with a total of 312 individuals. Cronbach’s alpha for Turkish LBI (T-LBI) total score was 0.939. The test-retest ICC scores of T-LBI were found to be 0.986 for the ‘health’ subscale, 0.980 for the ‘relationship’ subscale, 0.974 for the ‘identity’ subscale, and 0.990 for the ‘challenge/interest’ subscale. The total ICC score of the inventory was 0.989. Conclusion and significance The T-LBI is a valid and reliable assessment tool for measuring life balance in healthy individuals. We believe that our results will anticipate to increase the number of studies on life balance in the field of occupational therapy in Turkey.

Reliability and validity testing of the medicines related - consultation assessment tool for assessing pharmacists’ consultations

BackgroundDemonstrating a person-centred approach in a consultation is a key component of delivering high-quality healthcare. To support development of such an approach requires training underpinned by valid assessment tools. Given the lack of a suitable pharmacy-specific tool, a new global consultation skills assessment tool: the medicines related-consultation assessment tool (MR-CAT) was designed and tested.AimThis study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the MR-CAT using psychometric methods.MethodPsychometric testing involved analysis of participants’ (n = 13) assessment of fifteen pre-recorded simulated consultations using the MR-CAT. Analysis included discriminant validity testing, intrarater and interrater reliability testing for each of the five sections of the MR-CAT and for the overall global assessment of the consultation. Analysis also included internal consistency testing for the whole tool.ResultsInternal consistency for the overall global assessment of the consultation was good (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.97). The MR-CAT discriminated well for the overall global assessment of the consultation (p < 0.001). Moderate to high intrarater reliability was observed for the overall global assessment of the consultation and for all five sections of the MR-CAT (rho = 0.64–0.84) in the test–retest analysis. Moderate to good interrater reliability (Kendall’s W = 0.68–0.90) was observed for the overall global assessment of the consultation and for all five sections of the MR-CAT.ConclusionThe MR-CAT is a valid and reliable tool for assessing person-centred pharmacist’s consultations. Moreover, its unique design means that the MR-CAT can be used in both formative and summative assessment.

The Mini Nutritional Assessment tool's applicability for the elderly in Ethiopia: validation study.

The Mini Nutrition Assessment (MNA) is a widely used and valid tool for screening and assessment of malnutrition among the elderly population worldwide. However, MNA has not been validated among the Ethiopian elderly population and this study assessed the validity of the tool for the target population. Cross-sectional validation study design employed to validate MNA in Meki town, East Ethiopia. This study included 176 randomly selected elders living in the community, whereas amputated, bedridden, visible deformity, known liver and/or renal disorders were excluded. The original MNA questionnaires were translated to local language and administered to each participant after doing the pretest. The anthropometric, self-perception of nutritional status and serum albumin concentrations were measured. Reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) were calculated. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was plotted to identify the area under the curve (AUC) and optimal cut-off value for the prediction of malnutrition. A total of one hundred and seventy-six elders participated in this study. Of the total participants, 78(44.3%) were males. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 67.6 (±5.8) years and ranged from 60 to 84 years. The prevalence of malnutrition based on the MNA criteria (MNA < 17 points) was 18.2%, and 13.1% based on serum albumin concentration (<3 g/dl).The MNA had an overall Internal consistency of Cronbach's alpha 0.61. The tool also demonstrated significant criterion-related validity (0.75, p<0.001) and concurrent validity (0.51, p<0.001) with serum albumin concentration and self-perception of nutritional status respectively. Using the original cut-off point, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the tool were 93.5%, 44.6%, 65.4% and 86.0%, respectively. By modifying, the cut-off point to a value of <20.5, the sensitivity and specificity of the tool increases to 97.6% and 82.8% respectively. The AUC (95%CI) showed an overall accuracy of 92.7% (88.5, 96.9). The MNA tool can be used as a valid malnutrition screening tool for the Ethiopian elderly population by modifying the original cut-off point.

Behaviour-based pain scales: Validity and interrater reliability of BPS-NI and PAINAD-G on general wards.

Measuring pain intensity in patients unable to communicate is a challenge on general wards. Observation-based pain scoring tools have been used for patients with dementia or in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, there is no established or validated assessment tool for non-ICU patients without dementia related cognitive deficiencies who cannot communicate. The "Behavioural Pain Scale Non-Intubated" (BPS-NI) and the "Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia-German" (PAINAD-G) are potential tools to fill this gap. This study was performed with verbal non-ICU patients on general wards at Charité Berlin. Two assessors independently rated pain intensity using the BPS-NI and the PAINAD-G along with patients' self-ratings on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The interrater-reliability of BPS-NI and PAINAD-G was calculated and ROC-analyses were performed to identify cut-off values for medium and intense pain for each score. Effectiveness was calculated using percentage agreement. In total, 126 patients were included into analysis. The BPS-NI showed substantial congruence in interrater-reliability (Cohens-Kappa 0.71), whereas the PAINAD-G showed moderate congruence (Kappa 0.48). Based on ROC-analyses, for medium pain levels a cut-off 4 (BPS-NI) or 2 (PAINAD-G) and for severe pain levels cut-off 5 (BPS-NI) and 3 (PAINAD-G) would result in good accordance with self-reported NRS for pain. The BPS-NI shows a good validity in measuring pain intensity in patients on general wards and may possibly be used for patients unable to communicate. Using defined cut-off values for BPS-NI and PAINAD-G, clinically relevant pain intensities in patients can reliably be detected. Measuring the pain intensity in patients unable to communicate is a common challenge on general wards. This study assessed reliability and applicability BPS-NI and the PAINAD-G in a general ward setting. Furthermore, it provides cut-off values in order to estimate pain intensity and support analgesic response.

Insight into appropriate medication prescribing for elderly in the COVID-19 era.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) complicates clinical management in elderly population. There is an additional need to properly treat and monitor elderly COVID-19 patients. This paper discusses the inappropriate medication prescribing in the elderly and suggests an updated valid assessment tool considering COVID-19 and its treatment.

Addiction-like Eating in Chinese Adults: An Assessment Tool and Its Associations with Modern Eating-Related Habits.

The rapid increase in Chinese obesity rates has aroused research interest in addiction-like eating (AE); however, the unavailability of assessment tools is a major barrier to further investigation. To address the research gap, this study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Addiction-like Eating Behavior Scale (AEBS) and explore associations between AE and three modern eating-related habits (i.e., ordering delivery food, eating late-night meals and watching mukbang) among Chinese adults. The STROBE checklist was followed for reporting this cross-sectional study. We conducted a telephone survey with a two-stage cluster random sampling method and acquired a probability sample of 1010 community-dwelling Chinese adults (55.2% female; age: 18-88 years, M = 38.52, SD = 14.53). Results confirmed the conceptualized two-factor structure of AEBS with satisfactory model fit, reliability and validity. Chinese adults reported higher levels of AE in the context of low dietary control rather than appetitive drive. These two AE factors showed significant and positive associations with modern eating-related habits. The current study was the first to assess AE among Chinese adults and provided a reliable and valid assessment tool. Our correlational findings can also be utilized for designing interventions for weight management and healthy eating.

The PUMCH Evaluation System of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Clinical Practice

Differentiating idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) from other neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. Only a portion of the patients clinically suspected of iNPH would respond to surgical intervention. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test is usually used to predict surgery outcomes and hence aid clinical decision-making, but the workup varies. We introduce the CSF tap test conducted at our center and examine its power by analyzing data from a series of iNPH cases that underwent shunt placement. We analyze common features in the past medical history of our patients and investigate whether they are related to the etiology of iNPH. Data from 20 patients who were positive in the tap tests preoperatively and received ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative performance data were analyzed. History of any underlying medical conditions was taken into consideration. Patients with negative tap test results of the same period were also followed up. We performed VPS placement in 20 NPH patients from October 2019 to February 2022. Of these, 90% exhibited improvement in at least 1 of the clinical triad, proving the predictive power of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital test workflow. The underlying conditions like hypertension, diabetes and insufficiency in cerebral blood supply were also found to be associated with the onset of NPH. Our evaluation system is a valid tool for NPH assessment and can guide clinical decision-making. Comorbidities should be taken into consideration as they contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of NPH. Better identification of potential iNPH patients will lower the burden exerted on the family and the aging society.

Validation of the sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC) in infants and toddlers from mainland China.

This study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of SDSC among infants (aged 6-36 months), and to provide a reference for expanding the application of the SDSC for Chinese infants (SDSC-I). From April to November 2021, parents of infants from Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Longyan, Sanming, and Nanping cities in Fujian Province, China completed the SDSC-I. Several factor analyses were performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. Of note, 432 out of 469 samples were valid. After item selections and exploratory factor analyses, the SDSC-I concluded six dimensions (disorders of initiating sleep, disorders of maintaining sleep, sleep hyperhidrosis, sleep breathing disorders, parasomnias, and non-restorative sleep and excessive somnolence) with 23 items. The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.863, and those for the six dimensions were within 0.576-0.835. The values of parameters for content validity of the scale were: IR = 0.87, I-CVI > 0.78, Kappa value > 0.74, S-CVI/UA = 0.87, S-CVI/Ave = 0.98. Principal component analysis revealed that the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value was 0.84, and the factor loading of items ranged from 0.328 to 0.849, with six factors of eigenvalue more than one, which could explain 58.274% of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis results showed that χ2/DF was 3.556, root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.077, comparative fit index (CFI) was 0.809, and standardized RMR (SRMR) was 0.070. Our study provides evidence that the SDSC-I is reliable and valid, and it is effective for the screening and management of sleep disturbances among infants (aged 6-36 months). Compared with other questionnaires such as the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ), it is worthy of popularization and application in pediatric primary care.

Perceptions of First and Second Year Medical Students to Improve Structured Viva Voce as an Assessment Tool

Objective: To determine the perceptions of 1st and 2nd year MBBS Students about structured Viva Voce Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Shalamar Medical and Dental College Lahore, on 92 students. Duration of study was from July to December 2018. A questionnaire (based on 5 points Likert scale) was generated in Google forms and link was shared with the participants. The analysis was done by using SPSS version 21, frequencies and percentages were calculated, and Chi-Square Test was applied. Results: Out of total 92 students, 32% belonged to the 1st and 68% to 2nd year MBBS. Majority of the 2nd year students (50.8%) showed their satisfaction regarding fairness and coverage of wide range of critical areas by Viva Voce as compared to the 1st year students. Greater percentage of students from both years consider that viva voce covered wide range of critical areas and were satisfied with level of difficulty and logical sequencing of viva voce questions. More than half of the participants from both classes consider it a valid assessment tool. Majority of 1st (65%) and 2nd year (63.1%) students thought that this tool of assessment highlighted their weaknesses and significantly higher number of 2nd year students consider that viva can highlight their strengths regarding the topic. Conclusion: Majority of students from both years showed their satisfaction regarding various aspects of Viva Voce. However, significantly greater number of 2nd year students were satisfied with the capability of Viva Voce in highlighting their strengths as compared to 1st year students.

Translation into Spanish Language (México), Transcultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Quality of Life Questionnaire in Female Pattern Hair Loss (WAA-QoL-Sp)

Background: The Women’s Androgenetic Alopecia Quality of Life (WAA-QoL) questionnaire is the only available specific instrument to evaluate QoL in female pattern hair loss (FPHL) patients. It is made of 16 questions with 6 alternatives, is self-administered, and has not yet been adapted or validated to Spanish. Objectives: The objective of the study was to translate into Spanish, culturally adapt, and validate the WAA-QoL questionnaire. Methods: The translated version (WAA-QoL-sp) was submitted to 453 general population women by e-mail after authorization by the author, translation, and adaptation to Spanish of the WAA-QoL questionnaire. Results: A total of 453 women were evaluated; the median age was 39 years, and there was high internal consistency: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.969 for the WAA-QoL-sp. Study Limitations: Sampling of subjects was from diverse Spanish-speaking countries (such as Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Venezuela, Cuba, and Spain) but not from all Spanish-speaking countries. Conclusions: A Spanish version of the WAA-QoL questionnaire was translated and adapted, which proved to be consistent and a valid tool for assessment of FPHL.

Understanding the role of financial health literacy in midlife and old age: A scoping review.

As global population ageing persists, understanding older adults' capacity to navigate the financial and healthcare system is essential. This scoping review examines how the concept of financial health literacy (FHL) is described and measured in the existing literature, the factors that may affect it, and its potential outcomes in middle-aged and older adults. The review follows the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) extension guidelines to synthesise the available evidence on this topic. We utilised electronic databases and hand searching to identify relevant literature published between 2010 and 2022. A total of 29 articles were included in this review. The results showed that FHL involved accessing, understanding and utilising financial information for planning/management of healthcare expenses and selecting appropriate health services. However, FHL is not particularly depicted as a concept in the current literature, as most studies investigated health literacy, financial literacy and health insurance literacy as separate domains that were interrelated to one another. No validated measurement tool was developed for FHL. We propose five domains to indicate the concept and measurement of FHL in middle-aged/older adults: money management, management of medical bills, understanding health insurance, deciding on appropriate health services, and planning for long-term care needs. Demographic variables, such as sex (females), advanced age, cognitive impairment, low education and income and racial and ethnic minorities, were found to be related to low FHL. The reviewed studies also showed that FHL was related to several outcomes, including healthcare decision-making, physical health and psychological well-being. Hence, future studies to develop and validate assessment tools of FHL, together with the involvement of vulnerable groups, are imperative to understanding the concept of FHL. This could also facilitate the development of appropriate interventions that could enhance this capacity in the ageing population.

Development and validation of an online tool for assessment of health care providers’ management of suspected malaria in an area, where transmission has been interrupted

BackgroundThe alertness and practice of health care providers (HCPs) in the correct management of suspected malaria (CMSM) (vigilance) is a central component of malaria surveillance following elimination, and it must be established before malaria elimination certification can be granted. This study was designed to develop and validate a rapid tool, Simulated Malaria Online Tool (SMOT), to evaluate HCPs’ practice in relation to the CMSM.MethodsThe study was conducted in East Azerbaijan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran, where no malaria transmission has been reported since 2005. An online tool presenting a suspected malaria case for detection of HCPs’ failures in recognition, diagnosis, treatment and reporting was developed based on literature review and expert opinion. A total of 360 HCPs were allocated to two groups. In one group their performance was tested by simulated patient (SP) methodology as gold standard, and one month later by the online tool to allow assessment of its sensitivity. In the other group, they were tested only by the online tool to allow assessment of any possible bias incurred by the exposure to SPs before the tool.ResultsThe sensitivity of the tool was (98.7%; CI 93.6–99.3). The overall agreement and kappa statistics were 96.6% and 85.6%, respectively. In the group tested by both methods, the failure proportion by SP was 86.1% (CI 80.1–90.8) and by tool 87.2% (CI 81.4–91.7). In the other group, the tool found 85.6% (CI 79.5–90.3) failures. There were no significant differences in detecting failures within or between the groups.ConclusionThe SMOT tool not only showed high validity for detecting HCPs’ failures in relation to CMSM, but it had high rates of agreement with the real-world situation, where malaria transmission has been interrupted. The tool can be used by program managers to evaluate HCPs’ performance and identify sub-groups, whose malaria vigilance should be strengthened. It could also contribute to the evidence base for certification of malaria elimination, and to strengthening prevention of re-establishment of malaria transmission.

Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone for genitourinary symptoms of the menopause: Is the evidence sufficient?

Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a locally metabolised estrogen and androgen precursor, licensed in 2018 in the EU for moderate to severe vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. A literature search revealed four original trials suitable for appraisal, three evaluating change in dyspareunia or dryness as a primary outcome, one evaluated safety as a primary outcome. In two trials of 255 and 558 women without cancer, the benefit of placebo (nightly vaginal suppositories with a lipophilic base) was a 0.9 and 1 point reduction in dyspareunia as measured on a 3 point scale, an unvalidated outcome measure. With nightly DHEA, dyspareunia was reduced by an additional 0.4 points compared to placebo. When 464 women with gynaecological cancer were randomised, those using nightly plain moisturiser gel reported a reduction of 'most bothersome symptom' (either dyspareunia or dryness) of 1.5 points on a 3 point scale. Those using nightly DHEA reported an additional symptom reduction of 0.3 points. This is also an unvalidated outcome measure. Data evaluating the efficacy of DHEA over placebo is unconvincing and based on unvalidated primary outcome measures that also do not reflect the complex psycho-sexual and socio-cultural components of genitourinary menopausal symptoms. The efficacy and safety data excluded women taking systemic HRT, applies to postmenopausal, not perimenopausal, women and had relatively short follow up. It is important further independent trials use sophisticated and validated assessment tools to better establish the efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of intravaginal DHEA in clinically representative groups of women before being routinely prescribed.

Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes of Let Down Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty.

Background: Preservation rhinoplasty is a re-emerging technique that lacks data on functional and aesthetic outcomes. Objective: To measure the change in patient-reported nasal aesthetic perception, nasal breathing, and sleep and compare outcomes between two different septal cartilage manipulation techniques among patients undergoing preservation rhinoplasty. Methods: Functional and aesthetic outcomes of a let down dorsal preservation rhinoplasty using either the modified subdorsal strip method (MSSM) or subdorsal Z-flap are assessed pre- and postoperatively using the validated assessment tools Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results: Fifty-two patients, 40 women and 12 men ages 15-69 years, underwent dorsal preservation rhinoplasty and the majority reported at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively significant improvement based on a paired t-test in NOSE, SNOT-22, SCHNOS, and ESS scores except for ESS scores at 6 and 12 months. No significant difference based on a two-sample t-test was observed between the MSSM and Z-flap techniques implemented. Conclusion: Let down dorsal preservation rhinoplasty with either the MSSM or Z-flap cartilage manipulation technique can achieve significant improvement in nasal aesthetics, nasal breathing, and sleep according to patient responses on validated assessment tools.

Psychometric properties of the Bergen Work Addiction Scale in a Greek sample of health professionals.

Work addiction it is an emerging topic in organizational research because it has a great impact on human resources, especially in the health sector, and has led to the development of a number of valid assessment tools. Among work addiction scales, the Bergen Work Addiction Scale (BWAS) has good psychometric properties and a small number of items, and comes with a recommended cut-off for categorization of work addiction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BWAS in a Greek sample of health professionals (HPs) and to measure their work addiction. A cross sectional study using an online questionnaire related to work addiction was completed by 542 HPs through the official websites of 8 secondary hospitals in Greece. The level of HPs' work addiction was moderate. The internal structure of the scale was satisfactory (α = .78). All seven items of the BWAS were significant and had standardized values above 0.48. Work addiction was significantly associated with older age and the profession of physician. Based on the findings of the present study, the Greek BWAS has good psychometric properties, such as good reliability, internal consistency and construct validity and is recommended as a suitable tool to assess work addiction in clinical settings and future research.

Assigning projects to pharmacy learners using the standardized project and learner alignment tool (SPLAT)

AbstractBackgroundPharmacy preceptors may encounter challenges like timeline restraints, knowledge gaps, or project complexity when assigning projects to the appropriate level of learner (ie, resident vs student). There is a lack of validated assessment tools for preceptors to evaluate which projects are most appropriate for specific levels of learners.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to assess content validity and ease of use of the Standardized Project and Learner Alignment Tool (SPLAT) as a tool for validating the appropriateness of pharmacy learner level to promote successful project completion.MethodsThe SPLAT was created in 2018 and evaluated retrospectively between April and June 2022. Projects completed by pharmacy learners (residents and students) between July 2020 and June 2022 were included for evaluation with completion of the SPLAT for each project by both the learner and preceptor. The primary end point was the content validity of the rubric assessed by a scale content validity index (S‐CVI). Secondary end points included agreement in scores between preceptors and learners (a surrogate marker of interrater reliability) and ease of use.ResultsA total of 52 matched pair completed forms were returned for analysis. Content validity of the SPLAT was found to have an overall S‐CVI of 0.86, indicating it is valid in determining the appropriate level of pharmacy learner to complete a project. There were no statistically significant differences in the agreement of paired scores between groups (preceptors vs learners) for any level of learner on the rubric. The tool takes about 5 min to complete for both groups. In total, 100% of end users indicated the tool was helpful, 91% of both groups found the tool easy‐to‐use, and 94% would use it again in the future.ConclusionThe SPLAT provides an easy‐to‐use and validated rubric to evaluate the appropriate level of pharmacy learner for various types of projects.

Responsiveness of the German version of the Neck Disability Index in chronic neck pain patients: a prospective cohort study with a seven-week follow-up

BackgroundThe need for an efficient and feasible strategy to deal with neck pain has a high priority for many countries. Validated assessment tools like the Neck Disability Index (NDI) to evaluate the functional status of a neck pain patient are urgently needed to treat and to follow-up patients purposefully. A German version (NDI-G) was shown to be valid and reliable, but has so far not been tested for responsiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the NDI-G`s responsiveness.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study with a seven-week follow-up. Fifty chronic neck pain patients filled out NDI-G twice. Additionally, the Patients’ Global Impression of Change score (PGIC) was assessed at follow-up. Wilcoxon and Spearman tests were used to assess direction and strength of the association between the change in NDI-G and PGIC. The receiver operating characteristics method and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to assess sensitivity and specificity of the NDI-G change over time.ResultsThe Wilcoxon test showed statistically significant differences for NDI-G at baseline and follow-up in the total sample, the “clinically improved” and “clinically not improved” subgroups as indicated in the PGIC. Spearman test resulted in a moderate correlation between the NDI-G and the PGIC (rS = -0.53, p = 0.01) at follow-up. AUC showed an acceptable discrimination [AUC = 0.78 (95% confidence interval 0.64 – 0.91)] of the NDI-G, with a cutoff score of 1.5, between clinically improved and clinically not improved patients, based on the PGIC.ConclusionsThe NDI-G is responsive to change in chronic neck pain. Together with the results of a previous study on its validity and reliability, the NDI-G can be recommended for research and clinical settings in patients with neck pain in German speaking countries.Trial registrationNCT02676141. February 8, 2016.