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BJU International Oct 2015To identify and review the currently available simulators for prostate surgery and to explore the evidence supporting their validity for training purposes.
OBJECTIVES
To identify and review the currently available simulators for prostate surgery and to explore the evidence supporting their validity for training purposes.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A review of the literature between 1999 and 2014 was performed. The search terms included a combination of urology, prostate surgery, robotic prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostatectomy, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), simulation, virtual reality, animal model, human cadavers, training, assessment, technical skills, validation and learning curves. Furthermore, relevant abstracts from the American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, British Association of Urological Surgeons and World Congress of Endourology meetings, between 1999 and 2013, were included. Only studies related to prostate surgery simulators were included; studies regarding other urological simulators were excluded.
RESULTS
A total of 22 studies that carried out a validation study were identified. Five validated models and/or simulators were identified for TURP, one for photoselective vaporisation of the prostate, two for holmium enucleation of the prostate, three for laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) and four for robot-assisted surgery. Of the TURP simulators, all five have demonstrated content validity, three face validity and four construct validity. The GreenLight laser simulator has demonstrated face, content and construct validities. The Kansai HoLEP Simulator has demonstrated face and content validity whilst the UroSim HoLEP Simulator has demonstrated face, content and construct validity. All three animal models for LRP have been shown to have construct validity whilst the chicken skin model was also content valid. Only two robotic simulators were identified with relevance to robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy, both of which demonstrated construct validity.
CONCLUSIONS
A wide range of different simulators are available for prostate surgery, including synthetic bench models, virtual-reality platforms, animal models, human cadavers, distributed simulation and advanced training programmes and modules. The currently validated simulators can be used by healthcare organisations to provide supplementary training sessions for trainee surgeons. Further research should be conducted to validate simulated environments, to determine which simulators have greater efficacy than others and to assess the cost-effectiveness of the simulators and the transferability of skills learnt. With surgeons investigating new possibilities for easily reproducible and valid methods of training, simulation offers great scope for implementation alongside traditional methods of training.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Education, Medical, Continuing; Humans; Laparoscopy; Male; Models, Biological; Prostate; Prostatectomy; Robotic Surgical Procedures; Surgeons; User-Computer Interface
PubMed: 24588806
DOI: 10.1111/bju.12721 -
Work (Reading, Mass.) 2022Developing reliable tools to tap into all the behavioral dimensions of individual job performance and identifying the right sub-dimensions is necessary for both research...
BACKGROUND
Developing reliable tools to tap into all the behavioral dimensions of individual job performance and identifying the right sub-dimensions is necessary for both research and practice.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed at developing and validating an IJPQ that addresses shortcomings of existing questionnaires.
METHODS
After a comprehensive systematic literature review, a framework consisting of four dimensions, including task performance (TP), contextual performance (CP), counterproductive work behavior (CWB), and adaptive performance (AP) was structured for measuring IJP. As well, 45 sub-dimensions were identified for measuring IJP's dimensions. Content and face validity were evaluated, and item impact score (IS), content validity index (CVI), Kappa, and content validity ratio (CVR) were calculated. For reliability and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), 525 workers completed the validated questionnaire and Cronbach alpha and goodness of fit indexes were determined, respectively.
RESULTS
Of the 62 items generated to measure dimensions, 53 were approved. Based on item-level CVI, of the 53 items, only 45 items were accepted. Finally, the results of item level CVR led to the extraction of 27 questions to evaluate IJP. The obtained scale level CVI and scale level CVR were 0.91 and 0.68, respectively. Based on the results obtained from 525 Iranian workers, values of Cronbach's Alpha, X2/df, RMSEA, and P-value were in the acceptable range.
CONCLUSIONS
Conclusively, a questionnaire containing 20 items was developed and validated for measuring IJP of Iranian worker's culture. The four dimensions of TP, CO, CWB, and AP consisted of 6, 5, 5, and 4 items each, respectively. Overall, IJPQ is a theory-based, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing job performance.
Topics: Humans; Iran; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Work Performance
PubMed: 35871384
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-211004 -
Cureus Aug 2022Background is a frequent and challenging problem that may impact a patient's postoperative pain and satisfaction. The level of a patient's anxiety needs to be assessed...
Background is a frequent and challenging problem that may impact a patient's postoperative pain and satisfaction. The level of a patient's anxiety needs to be assessed through a valid and reliable instrument to prevent and treat preoperative anxiety effectively. One such reliable measurement scale is Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and information scale, which is based on a self-reported questionnaire but is still not validated in Arabic. Objective To validate the Arabic Version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) for assessing preoperative anxiety in the Arabic population. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to translate and evaluate the validity of the APAIS in the Arabic version. The targeted population was Saudi adults undergoing surgery at the King Fahad Hospital in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. One hundred hospital patients were recruited and given the APAIS questionnaire to collect the data. The ethical considerations have been appropriately followed to protect the privacy of the patient's history. The collected data was qualitative and quantitative, which were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results The questionnaire showed high internal consistency on the anxiety scale (Cronbach's alpha: 0.851) and a strong correlation between age, chronic diseases, and surgery. While Cronbach's alpha for the information scale is 0.827. The gold standard curve between the worried and afraid two variables showed good efficiency during the configuration. In addition, the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) model of the Arabic version is a two-factor model to evaluate the validity of the Arabic version. Conclusion The Arabic Version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and information scale (APAIS) is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing preoperative anxiety. Using this validated scale for Arabic patients is feasible and shows promising results.
PubMed: 36134100
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28004 -
Hormones (Athens, Greece) Mar 2018The thyroid-related patient-reported outcome measure ThyPRO is currently the most reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of thyroid-related quality of life.... (Review)
Review
The thyroid-related patient-reported outcome measure ThyPRO is currently the most reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of thyroid-related quality of life. The objective of the current study was to translate the original (85 items) and short (39 items) versions of ThyPRO into the Greek language as well as to validate and culturally adapt ThyPRO among the Greek population. Translation of patient-reported outcomes was done according to standard methodology. Following the translation process, the Greek version of ThyPRO (ThyPROgr) was validated in consecutive patients with thyroid diseases who visited the outpatient clinics of the Department of Endocrinology, "Hippokration" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece, between September and December 2016. To test cross-cultural validity, analysis of differential item functioning (DIF) between the original Danish and the new Greek version, using ordinal logistic regression, was applied. Cross-cultural validity of the Greek translation was evaluated for both versions of ThyPRO. The ThyPRO questionnaire was validated in 143 consecutive patients (131 women and 12 men) with thyroid diseases, with a mean age of 62 ± 6 (SD) years. In the 85-item ThyPRO, 17 instances of DIF were detected, most of which were minor, this accounting for the ~ 5% of the variation in scale score. Two instances of DIF among positively worded items were larger, with 8-10% of variance explained. For ThyPRO-39, five minor instances of DIF were found. As judged by the linguistic validation as well as the DIF analyses, ThyPROgr has good cross-cultural validity when compared with the original Danish version. The two versions of ThyPROgr can now be used to assess thyroid-specific quality of life in the Greek population.
Topics: Aged; Female; Greece; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Psychometrics; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 29858865
DOI: 10.1007/s42000-018-0015-7 -
Arquivos de Gastroenterologia 2023Thyroid dysfunction has been reported in association with several chronic diseases, including advanced liver disease. •The bundle discussed here is aimed at proposing... (Review)
Review
Thyroid dysfunction has been reported in association with several chronic diseases, including advanced liver disease. •The bundle discussed here is aimed at proposing systematic assistance according to the best evidence-based practices available. •The process of constructing and validating the bundle was carried out in the following stages: a) bibliographic survey; b) bundle elaboration; and c) content validation. •The bundle was considered valid to facilitate medical decision making, aiding physicians to manage, in a practical and effective manner, the thyroid function of patients with liver cirrhosis. Background - Thyroid dysfunction has been reported in association with several chronic diseases, including advanced liver disease. This disease and its management are often neglected in clinical practice. The bundle discussed here is aimed at proposing systematic assistance according to the best evidence-based practices available. Objective - To construct and validate a bundle to evaluate thyroid function in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods - The process of constructing and validating the bundle was carried out in the following stages: a) bibliographic survey; b) bundle elaboration; and c) content validation. The bibliographic survey was carried out in an integrative review about evidence related with the thyroid function of patients with liver cirrhosis. The findings from the integrative review were considered as supporting evidence for the elaboration of the bundle. The tool then created used accessible language and was evidence-based, ensuring that information was based on current literature. Results - The bundle was restructured to provide guidance on the management of patients with liver dysfunctions, including: cirrhosis due to general causes, cirrhosis due to hepatitis C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, primary biliary cholangitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The orientations in the bundle included: exams to be requested to screen for thyroid disorders, and guidance about the treatment of these dysfunctions and their associated complications. We analyzed specialist evaluation of the bundle using the Content Validity Index (CVI). We carried out a binomial test to evaluate consistency and specialist agreement regarding the items in the bundle, considering values >0.61 as a good level. The items in the bundle were considered to be valid (CVI >0.80). The general CVI of the instrument was 0.95 (CI95%: 0.91-0.98). Conclusion - The bundle was considered valid to facilitate medical decision making, aiding physicians to manage, in a practical and effective approach, the thyroid function of patients with liver cirrhosis. This tool should not be used as a replacement for individual, evaluation of the physician providing assistance. We recommend the structured bundle to be added to medical practice, considering its simple application, low cost, and potential to contribute for the management of these patients.
Topics: Humans; Thyroid Gland; Liver Cirrhosis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Liver Neoplasms; Chronic Disease
PubMed: 37556750
DOI: 10.1590/S0004-2803.202302023-22 -
Allergy Jul 2018Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by a clonal expansion of mast cells in various organs. The vast majority of patients suffer from signs and symptoms...
BACKGROUND
Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by a clonal expansion of mast cells in various organs. The vast majority of patients suffer from signs and symptoms caused by mediator release from mast cells. Although the disease burden is high, there is currently no specific and validated instrument to measure and monitor signs and symptoms in patients with mastocytosis.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and validate a disease-specific tool to measure and monitor the activity of signs and symptoms in patients with mastocytosis, the Mastocytosis Activity Score (MAS).
METHODS
Nineteen potential MAS items were developed in a combined approach consisting of semi-structured patient interviews, expert input and literature research. Item selection was performed by impact analysis with 76 patients followed by a review for face validity. The resulting MAS was tested for validity, reliability and influence factors. In parallel, a US American English version of the MAS was developed.
RESULTS
A total of 68 mastocytosis patients took part in the MAS validation study. The final 9-item MAS was found to have a three-domain structure ("skin," "gastrointestinal tract" and "other"), a valid total score and an excellent test-retest reliability. Multiple regression analysis revealed that disease duration, age or gender is not a significant determinant of the MAS results.
CONCLUSIONS
The MAS is a disease-specific, valid and reliable patient-reported outcome measure for adult patients with cutaneous and indolent systemic mastocytosis. It may serve as a valuable tool to measure and monitor mastocytosis activity, both, in clinical trials and in routine care.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Disease Management; Female; Humans; Male; Mastocytosis; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Reproducibility of Results; Risk Factors; Severity of Illness Index; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 29405310
DOI: 10.1111/all.13425 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Nov 2019To describe a roadmap of the most representative milestones and considerations in the validation of surgical simulators, especially those of laparoscopic surgery. And... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To describe a roadmap of the most representative milestones and considerations in the validation of surgical simulators, especially those of laparoscopic surgery. And additionally, help determine when in this process a simulator can be considered as validated.
METHODS
A non-systematic review was carried out searching terms like simulation, validation, training, assessment, skills and learning curve, as well as providing the experience accumulated by our center.
RESULTS
An ideal classical validation process should consist of the following steps: fidelity, verification/calibration/ reliability, subjective and objective strategies. Baseline tests of fidelity and verification/calibration/ technological reliability are not always detailed in the simulation literature. A simulator can be considered validated if, at least, satisfactorily completed any of the two main objective strategies, that is, constructive and/or criterion validity.
CONCLUSIONS
The methodologies to validate simulators as useful and reliable for the improvement of psychomotor/ technical skills are widely analyzed, although there is a variety of approaches depending on the scientific reference consulted, not being implemented equally in all works. This apparent arbitrariness should be considered in advance because it can lead the researcher to misunderstandings, especially when the simulator will be regarded as valid.
Topics: Clinical Competence; Computer Simulation; Humans; Laparoscopy; Learning Curve; Reproducibility of Results; Simulation Training
PubMed: 31697250
DOI: No ID Found -
Hemodialysis International.... Jan 2022The cause of constipation is multifactorial and common problem for patients on hemodialysis. A lack of strong evidence on suitable treatment strategies means there is an...
INTRODUCTION
The cause of constipation is multifactorial and common problem for patients on hemodialysis. A lack of strong evidence on suitable treatment strategies means there is an unorganized approach to selecting therapies, which can exacerbate constipation or worsen symptoms. Clinicians and patients would benefit from a content and face validated treatment algorithm for treating constipation. In this study, our objective was to develop and content and face validate a constipation treatment toolkit for patients on hemodialysis, consisting of treatment algorithm, and patient information tools (pamphlet and video).
METHODS
Literature searches were performed to develop an initial toolkit using Lynn's method for developing content-valid clinical tools. Content and face validity were evaluated as per Lynn's method for determining content validity; the algorithm was evaluated by Canadian nephrology clinicians, while patient information tools were evaluated by clinicians and patients. Components were rated on a Likert scale for content relevance and on a 5-point scale for face validity. After each round, the content validity index (CVI) score was calculated and revisions were made based on feedback.
FINDINGS
A total of 23 clinicians and 15 patients were interviewed across three validation rounds. After three rounds, the treatment algorithm achieved content (overall CVI = 0.93) and face (91% agreement) validity. Our patient information tools achieved content and face validity (pamphlet overall CVI = 0.99, 85.5% agreement; video overall CVI = 0.99, 90.5% agreement).
DISCUSSION
A treatment algorithm and patient information toolkit for the treatment of constipation in patients on hemodialysis were content and face validated via expert review. Further research will be needed to ascertain the effectiveness and implementation of this toolkit.
Topics: Algorithms; Canada; Constipation; Humans; Renal Dialysis; Reproducibility of Results
PubMed: 34396666
DOI: 10.1111/hdi.12980 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Dec 2023To cross-culturally adapt and validate the Radboud Dysarthria Assessment (RDA) and the speech component of the Radboud Oral Motor inventory for Parkinson's disease...
PURPOSE
To cross-culturally adapt and validate the Radboud Dysarthria Assessment (RDA) and the speech component of the Radboud Oral Motor inventory for Parkinson's disease (ROMP-speech) into the Arabic language among Lebanese subjects with dysarthria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 50 participants with dysarthria. The Arabic versions of the RDA (A-RDA) and the ROMP-speech (A-ROMP-speech) were administered in addition to the Arabic Speech Intelligibility test, the Lebanese Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10lb) and semantic verbal fluency tasks. The maximum performance tasks were analyzed using the Praat software. The A-RDA qualitative recording form and the A-ROMP-speech were assessed for construct validity and internal consistency. The convergent validity of the maximum performance tasks, the severity scale, and the A-ROMP-speech were evaluated.
RESULTS
Exploratory factor analysis of the qualitative recording form extracted 3 factors explaining 82.973% of the total variance, and it demonstrated high internal consistency (α = 0.912). The maximum performance tasks of the RDA correlated significantly with the corresponding Praat scores. The severity scale and the A-ROMP-speech correlated fairly to strongly with the Arabic Speech Intelligibility test (r=-0.695 and -0.736, < 0.001) and the VHI-10lb ( = 0.539 and 0.640, < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The A-RDA and the A-ROMP-speech are valid and reliable dysarthria tools among Lebanese subjects.
PubMed: 38149715
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2297809 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Apr 2022Fifteen years have passed since the International Society of Sexual Medicine first established the 3-pronged criteria for premature ejaculation (PE): a short ejaculation... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Fifteen years have passed since the International Society of Sexual Medicine first established the 3-pronged criteria for premature ejaculation (PE): a short ejaculation latency, lack of ejaculatory control, and bother/distress. Although the process of establishing valid criteria for any condition or disorder is an ongoing one, a dearth of targeted research on these criteria has hindered professional societies from updating and revising them.
OBJECTIVES
To review and critique existing criteria used in the diagnosis of PE, to identify specific problems with them, and to recommend studies that will address shortcomings.
METHODS
Each of the PE criteria was evaluated and compared against standard procedures for establishing validated measures. Following each analysis, targeted research to address the gaps has been recommended.
RESULTS
Each PE criterion has shortcomings and each can be improved by using standard validation procedures, as noted by the targeted research outcomes. Professional societies can play an important role by encouraging broad participation in research that generates new and relevant data supporting, validating, or challenging the existing criteria.
CONCLUSION
The concepts underlying the diagnostic criteria for PE have both broad consensus and functional utility. Nevertheless, much of the research investigating PE has uncritically adopted these criteria without concomitantly recognizing their limitations. These limitations prevent determining accurate prevalence rates, interpreting research findings with confidence, and establishing efficacious treatment outcomes. Rowland DL, Althof SE, McMahon CG. The Unfinished Business of Defining Premature Ejaculation: The Need for Targeted Research. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:323-340.
Topics: Ejaculation; Humans; Male; Premature Ejaculation; Sexual Behavior; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34996746
DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2021.11.003