60 Chapter 3 in particular the elder patient, is able to complete a VAS correctly.16,17 This was also observed in this study. However, almost no problems occurred when the OQUA was completed digitally. Therefore, it is preferred to complete the OQUA digitally. Further research Before implementation, the reliability and validity of the OQUA need to be investigated. In addition, OQUA’s format will be further developed so that scores of different ear complaints can be presented graphically, which will give a quick overview of each patient’s complaints. To optimise the comparison of patients’ perspectives before and after an intervention, a third construct should be added next to complaints and impact, namely ‘benefit and satisfaction’. The OQUA has the potential to provide the scores on all three parts of the questionnaire (complaints, impact and benefit and satisfaction) separately. We aim to examine OQUA’s testretest reliability and responsiveness in future research. Conclusion The development of a generic otologic PROM covering all relevant ear complaints is presented. This generic questionnaire can be very useful as many patients with an ear complaint report multiple ear complaints simultaneously. The OQUA addresses eight types of ear complaints and contains items about impact in a 34-item questionnaire. The OQUA is based on thorough analyses including in-depth interviews, think-aloud interviews, pilot studies and field-testing. Further studies will focus on validity, reliability, the optimisation of graphical representation and satisfaction and benefit scores. Acknowledgements We would like to thank MSc L. Rothuizen (ENT department of Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands), dr. E.O. Laurens- Thalen (ENT department of Isala, Zwolle, the Netherlands) and dr. R.J.A.M. van der Hulst (ENT department of Amstelland hospital, Amstelveen, the Netherlands) for their contribution to patient inclusion in this study. We would also like to thank MSc E. Haitsma for her contribution in the first phase of this study.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjY0ODMw