scholarly journals Structured reporting of computed tomography in the staging of colon cancer: a Delphi consensus proposal

Author(s):  
Vincenza Granata ◽  
Lorenzo Faggioni ◽  
Roberta Grassi ◽  
Roberta Fusco ◽  
Alfonso Reginelli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming increasingly necessary and has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured CT-based reports in colon cancer during the staging phase in order to improve communication between the radiologist, members of multidisciplinary teams and patients. Materials and methods A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, was established. A modified Delphi process was used to develop the SR and to assess a level of agreement for all report sections. Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was used to assess internal consistency for each section and to measure quality analysis according to the average inter-item correlation. Results The final SR version was built by including n = 18 items in the “Patient Clinical Data” section, n = 7 items in the “Clinical Evaluation” section, n = 9 items in the “Imaging Protocol” section and n = 29 items in the “Report” section. Overall, 63 items were included in the final version of the SR. Both in the first and second round, all sections received a higher than good rating: a mean value of 4.6 and range 3.6–4.9 in the first round; a mean value of 5.0 and range 4.9–5 in the second round. In the first round, Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was a questionable 0.61. In the first round, the overall mean score of the experts and the sum of scores for the structured report were 4.6 (range 1–5) and 1111 (mean value 74.07, STD 4.85), respectively. In the second round, Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was an acceptable 0.70. In the second round, the overall mean score of the experts and the sum of score for structured report were 4.9 (range 4–5) and 1108 (mean value 79.14, STD 1.83), respectively. The overall mean score obtained by the experts in the second round was higher than the overall mean score of the first round, with a lower standard deviation value to underline greater agreement among the experts for the structured report reached in this round. Conclusions A wide implementation of SR is of critical importance in order to offer referring physicians and patients optimum quality of service and to provide researchers with the best quality data in the context of big data exploitation of available clinical data. Implementation is a complex procedure, requiring mature technology to successfully address the multiple challenges of user-friendliness, organization and interoperability.

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1569
Author(s):  
Vincenza Granata ◽  
Roberto Grassi ◽  
Vittorio Miele ◽  
Anna Rita Larici ◽  
Nicola Sverzellati ◽  
...  

Background: Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming necessary and has recently been recognized by major scientific societies. This study aimed to build CT-based structured reports for lung cancer during the staging phase, in order to improve communication between radiologists, members of the multidisciplinary team and patients. Materials and Methods: A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, was established. A modified Delphi exercise was used to build the structural report and to assess the level of agreement for all the report sections. The Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was used to assess internal consistency for each section and to perform a quality analysis according to the average inter-item correlation. Results: The final SR version was built by including 16 items in the “Patient Clinical Data” section, 4 items in the “Clinical Evaluation” section, 8 items in the “Exam Technique” section, 22 items in the “Report” section, and 5 items in the “Conclusion” section. Overall, 55 items were included in the final version of the SR. The overall mean of the scores of the experts and the sum of scores for the structured report were 4.5 (range 1–5) and 631 (mean value 67.54, STD 7.53), respectively, in the first round. The items of the structured report with higher accordance in the first round were primary lesion features, lymph nodes, metastasis and conclusions. The overall mean of the scores of the experts and the sum of scores for staging in the structured report were 4.7 (range 4–5) and 807 (mean value 70.11, STD 4.81), respectively, in the second round. The Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was 0.89 in the first round and 0.92 in the second round for staging in the structured report. Conclusions: The wide implementation of SR is critical for providing referring physicians and patients with the best quality of service, and for providing researchers with the best quality of data in the context of the big data exploitation of the available clinical data. Implementation is complex, requiring mature technology to successfully address pending user-friendliness, organizational and interoperability challenges.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 4007
Author(s):  
Vincenza Granata ◽  
Silvia Pradella ◽  
Diletta Cozzi ◽  
Roberta Fusco ◽  
Lorenzo Faggioni ◽  
...  

Structured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming increasingly necessary and has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured CT-based reports for lymphoma patients during the staging phase to improve communication between radiologists, members of multidisciplinary teams, and patients. A panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), was established. A modified Delphi process was used to develop the SR and to assess a level of agreement for all report sections. The Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was used to assess internal consistency for each section and to measure quality analysis according to the average inter-item correlation. The final SR version was divided into four sections: (a) Patient Clinical Data, (b) Clinical Evaluation, (c) Imaging Protocol, and (d) Report, including n = 13 items in the “Patient Clinical Data” section, n = 8 items in the “Clinical Evaluation” section, n = 9 items in the “Imaging Protocol” section, and n = 32 items in the “Report” section. Overall, 62 items were included in the final version of the SR. A dedicated section of significant images was added as part of the report. In the first Delphi round, all sections received more than a good rating (≥3). The overall mean score of the experts and the sum of score for structured report were 4.4 (range 1–5) and 1524 (mean value of 101.6 and standard deviation of 11.8). The Cα correlation coefficient was 0.89 in the first round. In the second Delphi round, all sections received more than an excellent rating (≥4). The overall mean score of the experts and the sum of scores for structured report were 4.9 (range 3–5) and 1694 (mean value of 112.9 and standard deviation of 4.0). The Cα correlation coefficient was 0.87 in this round. The highest overall means value, highest sum of scores of the panelists, and smallest standard deviation values of the evaluations in this round reflect the increase of the internal consistency and agreement among experts in the second round compared to first round. The accurate statement of imaging data given to referring physicians is critical for patient care; the information contained affects both the decision-making process and the subsequent treatment. The radiology report is the most important source of clinical imaging information. It conveys critical information about the patient’s health and the radiologist’s interpretation of medical findings. It also communicates information to the referring physicians and records this information for future clinical and research use. The present SR was generated based on a multi-round consensus-building Delphi exercise and uses standardized terminology and structures, in order to adhere to diagnostic/therapeutic recommendations and facilitate enrolment in clinical trials, to reduce any ambiguity that may arise from non-conventional language, and to enable better communication between radiologists and clinicians.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenza Granata ◽  
Francesca Coppola ◽  
Roberta Grassi ◽  
Roberta Fusco ◽  
Salvatore Tafuto ◽  
...  

BackgroundStructured reporting (SR) in radiology is becoming increasingly necessary and has been recognized recently by major scientific societies. This study aims to build structured CT-based reports in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms during the staging phase in order to improve communication between the radiologist and members of multidisciplinary teams.Materials and MethodsA panel of expert radiologists, members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, was established. A Modified Delphi process was used to develop the SR and to assess a level of agreement for all report sections. Cronbach’s alpha (Cα) correlation coefficient was used to assess internal consistency for each section and to measure quality analysis according to the average inter-item correlation.ResultsThe final SR version was built by including n=16 items in the “Patient Clinical Data” section, n=13 items in the “Clinical Evaluation” section, n=8 items in the “Imaging Protocol” section, and n=17 items in the “Report” section. Overall, 54 items were included in the final version of the SR. Both in the first and second round, all sections received more than a good rating: a mean value of 4.7 and range of 4.2-5.0 in the first round and a mean value 4.9 and range of 4.9-5 in the second round. In the first round, the Cα correlation coefficient was a poor 0.57: the overall mean score of the experts and the sum of scores for the structured report were 4.7 (range 1-5) and 728 (mean value 52.00 and standard deviation 2.83), respectively. In the second round, the Cα correlation coefficient was a good 0.82: the overall mean score of the experts and the sum of scores for the structured report were 4.9 (range 4-5) and 760 (mean value 54.29 and standard deviation 1.64), respectively.ConclusionsThe present SR, based on a multi-round consensus-building Delphi exercise following in-depth discussion between expert radiologists in gastro-enteric and oncological imaging, derived from a multidisciplinary agreement between a radiologist, medical oncologist and surgeon in order to obtain the most appropriate communication tool for referring physicians.


Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
F. Magnifica ◽  
F. Colagrossi ◽  
A. Aloisi ◽  
S. Politi ◽  
A. Peretti ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Almost 25%of workers in the European Union suffer from back pain, and 23%complain of muscle pain. Sixty-two percent of workers carry out repetitive operations with their hands or arms, 46%work in painful or tired positions and 35%carry or handle loads. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt and validate the Italian version of the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ-I). METHODS: Translation and cultural adaptation procedures followed international guidelines. Participants were recruited from among the personnel components of the Italian Air Force, who were between 18 and 65 years old. Cronbach’s alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated to assess internal consistency and stability, respectively. The CDMQ-I was administered together with the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), and the validity was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. RESULTS: All CDMQ-I items were either identical or similar in meaning to the original version’s items. The scale was administered twice with a retest after seven to 10 days to 66 participants. Cronbach’s alpha was higher than 0.761, and the ICC ranged between 0.737 and 0.952. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed positive and significant correlations (p >  0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study produced an Italian version of the CMDQ with good reliability and validity. This scale is a useful tool to investigate the frequency and intensity of musculoskeletal disorders in various categories of workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooman Daryoushi ◽  
Amir Jalali ◽  
Ehsan Karimi ◽  
Nader Salari ◽  
Parvin Abbasi

Abstract Background One of the main elements that help students in research projects and composing dissertations is the student-supervisor relationship. A valid and reliable tool to measure this seems essential and it is the objective of the present study to validate and assess the psychometric properties of a questionnaire on supervisor-doctoral student interaction (QSDI) in Iran. Methods Before starting the study, a permission from the developer of the tool was secured. Then the tool was forward-backward translated. After preparing the Farsi version of the tool, content validity was confirmed through qualitative and quantitative methods. To examine construct validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted with participation of 218 and 410 MD, MSc, and PhD students of medical sciences, respectively. To check reliability of the tool, correlation coefficient was used. To examine internal consistency of the tool, Cronbach’s alpha was used. Data analyses were done in SPSS (v.25) and LISREL (v.8). Results The EFA and CFA results revealed eight factors and 39 items. The value of R-square for the model was equal to 0.99, which means 99% of changes in the dependent variable (supervisor-student interaction) is attributed to the independent variable (41 items). That is, 99% of the dependent variable changes is due to the independent variables. The main indices of the model based on factor analyses were supported (0.9<), which indicated goodness of fit of the model (χ2/df = 1.76, CFI, NFI, TLI = 0.98 GFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.043, R-square = 0.99). The significance level for correlation coefficient was below 0.05. Reliability of the tool was supported based on internal correlation (Cronbach’s alpha) equal to 0.943 for the whole tool and in 0.89–0.97 range for the subscales. Conclusion In general, the results showed that the Farsi version of QSDI (eight factors and 39 items) had acceptable and applicable indices and it can be used as a valid tool in different fields for higher education students of medical sciences.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behrouz Attarbashi Moghadam ◽  
Hasan Tamartash ◽  
Sara Fereydunnia ◽  
Mahdieh Ravand

The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) has been developed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQoL) status of Heart Failure (HF) patients. The aim of this study was to translate MLHFQ into the Persian version and assess the validity and reliability of the translated version. We used a forward-backward procedure for translation. In a cross-sectional study, 105 HF patients and 50 healthy subjects were selected to assess the reliability and construct validity of the instrument. The face and content validity were used to assess the questionnaire validity. Validity was examined on the HF patients group, using the Persian version of the Short form-36 health survey (SF-36) Questionnaire. In order to assess the questionnaire’s reliability, the Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha were calculated. Test-retest reliability was examined by re-administering the MLHFQ after 2 weeks. Test-retest results demonstrated that the Persian version has excellent reliability (ICC for all 2 domains were higher than 0.91, P≤0.000). Internal consistency for Physical domain (PD), emotional domain (ED) and total scores using Cronbach’s alpha were 0.90, 0.84 and 0.92, respectively. ICC for PD, ED and total scores were 0.95, 0.94, and 0.97, respectively. Good and very good Pearson's Correlation Coefficient was seen between MLHFQ and SF-36 (r= -0.47 to -0.775, P≤0.000 for PD; r= -0.47 to -0.65, P≤0.000 for ED). The Persian version of the MLHFQ had satisfactory reliability and validity for assessing HRQoL status of Iranian HF patients. © 2019 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved. Acta Med Iran 2019;57(7):435-441.


Author(s):  
ALIAA Khaja ◽  
Owayed AL-Mutairi ◽  
abdulaziz Alkhudair ◽  
Awdhah Abdulkarim

Abstract Background The Harris Hip Score (HHS) is a widely used Patient-Related Outcomes score. It measures pain and function levels in patients with hip pathologies. Objectives The main objective of this study is to translate and culturally adapt the HHS into Arabic, and to further assess the reliability and validity of translated version Material & Methods 110 patients participated in this survey. The internal consistency tests were performed using Cronbach’s alpha. Test-retest reliability (intra-correlation coefficient), convergent construct validity, convergent validity, floor & ceiling effects and responsiveness was also calculated. In order to measure the level of agreement, Bland-Altman Plot, forest Plots are performed. Results Test reliability for the first testing situation - calculated using Cronbach's alpha - was 0.98 for the pain subscale, 0.98 for the stiffness, and 0.99 for the physical function subscale. For the second testing, reliability was 0.99, 0.97, and 0.99 (pain, stiffness, and physical function, respectively). This only proves that WOMAC is an instrument with good reliability. Same calculation of Cronbach’s alpha was essential to testing the reliability of the Harris Hip Score. For each of the three testing occasions the reliability was very good or excellent – α 1 = 0.92, α 2 = 0.91, and α 3 = 0.90. Intra-class correlation coefficient was good with the score of 0.76 (95% CI 0.44-0.88). Conclusion Overall, Arabic version of HOOS could be used as diagnostic tool for patients with hip problems, when it comes to information about the overall condition of the patient, especially about the improvement or deterioration, however, it is important to be cautious using HHS when the change magnitude of patient’s condition is investigated, since there is a potential probability that the level of improvement of the patient’s condition will be overestimated by HHS.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varadraj Gurupur ◽  
Kruparaj Shettian ◽  
Peixin Xu ◽  
Scott Hines ◽  
Mitzi Desselles ◽  
...  

This study identified the readiness factors that may create challenges in the use of telemedicine among patients in northern Louisiana with cancer. To identify these readiness factors, the team of investigators developed 19 survey questions that were provided to the patients or to their caregivers. The team collected responses from 147 respondents from rural and urban residential backgrounds. These responses were used to identify the individuals’ readiness for utilising telemedicine through factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha reliability test, analysis of variance and ordinary least squares regression. The analysis results indicated that the favourable factor (positive readiness item) had a mean value of 3.47, whereas the unfavourable factor (negative readiness item) had a mean value of 2.76. Cronbach’s alpha reliability test provided an alpha value of 0.79. Overall, our study indicated a positive attitude towards the use of telemedicine in northern Louisiana.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Somayeh Kazemi ◽  
Sedigheh-Sadat Tavafian ◽  
Alireza Hidarnia ◽  
Ali Montazeri

Abstract Background: Occupational back pain is the most prevalent health problem among nurses and needs to be assessed by a valid and multi-factorial questionnaire. The purpose of the present study was to design and develop an instrument based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model for assessing job-related behaviors that cause low back pain. Methods: First an item pool of 49 items was generated. Then, content and face validity was carried out. Consequently, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Mazandaran, Iran. The questionnaire was distributed among a sample of nurses working in hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the factor structure of the questionnaire. The Cronbach’s alpha was estimated to assess the reliability and the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated to examine stability. Results: In all 155 nurses participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 34.1 (SD = 7.66) years, and 83.2% were female. Six factors with 30 items emerged from the exploratory factor analysis: knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, reinforcing factors, enabling factors and behavior that jointly accounted for %66.5 of behavior change variance observed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient showed excellent internal consistency (alpha=0.92). The intraclass correlation coefficient with 2-weeks interval also indicated that the questionnaire has satisfactory stability (ICC = 0.97). Conclusions: The findings showed that the Occupational Back Pain Prevention Behavior Questionnaire is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring occupational back pain and prevention behaviors among nurses. Keywords: Occupational Back Pain, Prevention behaviors, Psychometric evaluation, PRECEDE-PROCEED model, Nurse


Author(s):  
Hosein Ebrahimipour ◽  
Elahe Hooshmand ◽  
Mehdi Varmaghani ◽  
Seyyed Morteza Mojtabaeian

Background: Many organizations believe that physician involvement is important in quality and safety of health services, but they did not properly define, measure, and improve it, so because of the importance of the quality of health care and increasing the involvement of physician this study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of a questionnaire on the challenges of physicians' participation in quality improvement programs. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in the hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, a researcher-made questionnaire about challenges of physicians' participation in accreditation activities used for data gathering. The content validity ratio index and content validity index were also calculated. To measure the internal consistency of the instrument, the questionnaire was distributed among 14 physicians, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was determined. For stability or reproducibility of the instrument, test - retest and correlation coefficient were calculated. By distributing questionnaires among 14 people those meeting inclusion criteria, the correlation coefficient was measured twice and at intervals of 2 weeks. SPSS 21 software was used for data analysis Results: The initial questionnaire was consisted of 61 items, which were reduced to 38 items after face and content psychometrics. The questionnaire has 12 sub-concepts. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.83 and the intragroup correlation coefficient in 2 measurements 2 weeks apart was 0.94. Conclusion: This questionnaire is the first and only valid and reliable dedicated tool in the field of challenges of physicians' participation in accreditation activities in Iran, which can measure and prioritize the challenges in each health center and it can be used to improve health care quality services that are performed by doctors.


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