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Application of validity theory and methodology to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs): building an argument for validity

Version 3 2024-06-18, 07:18
Version 2 2024-05-30, 15:16
Version 1 2018-06-05, 13:35
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-18, 07:18 authored by M Hawkins, GR Elsworth, RH Osborne
BACKGROUND: Data from subjective patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are now being used in the health sector to make or support decisions about individuals, groups and populations. Contemporary validity theorists define validity not as a statistical property of the test but as the extent to which empirical evidence supports the interpretation of test scores for an intended use. However, validity testing theory and methodology are rarely evident in the PROM validation literature. Application of this theory and methodology would provide structure for comprehensive validation planning to support improved PROM development and sound arguments for the validity of PROM score interpretation and use in each new context. OBJECTIVE: This paper proposes the application of contemporary validity theory and methodology to PROM validity testing. ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE: The validity testing principles will be applied to a hypothetical case study with a focus on the interpretation and use of scores from a translated PROM that measures health literacy (the Health Literacy Questionnaire or HLQ). DISCUSSION: Although robust psychometric properties of a PROM are a pre-condition to its use, a PROM's validity lies in the sound argument that a network of empirical evidence supports the intended interpretation and use of PROM scores for decision making in a particular context. The health sector is yet to apply contemporary theory and methodology to PROM development and validation. The theoretical and methodological processes in this paper are offered as an advancement of the theory and practice of PROM validity testing in the health sector.

History

Journal

Quality of life research

Volume

27

Pagination

1695-1710

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISSN

0962-9343

eISSN

1573-2649

Language

eng

Publication classification

C Journal article, C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2018, The Authors

Issue

7

Publisher

Springer