The experience of using the SEIQoL-DW with patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): issues of process and outcome

Morag Farquhar, Gail Ewing, Irene J. Higginson, Sara Booth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: To report the experience of using the SEIQoL-DW for the measurement of quality of life with patients with advanced COPD and consider its feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness for a Phase III randomised controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: The SEIQoL-DW was administered according to its instructions within a Phase II RCT 3–5 times per patient, across 13 patients and the process audio-recorded. Quantitative and qualitative criteria were used to assess feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness. Qualitative analysis of the transcripts and fieldwork notes was conducted using Framework Analysis.

Results: The SEIQoL-DW steps (of identifying five quality of life cues, rating their functioning and importance) were completed at 48/51 interviews. However, some respondents were overwhelmed by the scripted introduction, experienced difficulty with cue identification, and focused only on certain types of cues (Step 1); some had difficulty interpreting and rating the concept of Step 2; and some had difficulty interpreting ‘importance’ and manipulating the SEIQoL-DW disc (Step 3).

Conclusions: Patients with advanced COPD were able to complete the SEIQoL-DW but analysis of its administration identified practical and conceptual concerns which question the validity of the results obtained. Suggestions for the development of the SEIQoL-DW and future feasibility studies are given.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)619-629
Number of pages11
JournalQuality of Life Research
Volume19
Issue number5
Early online date12 Mar 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2010

Keywords

  • Quality of life
  • Feasibility studies
  • Outcome assessment (health care)
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Palliative care
  • Validity of results

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