In 2024, the article Canadian English translation and linguistic validation of the 13-MD to measure global health-related quality of life was published. Thomas Poder, a health economics researcher on the Unité de soutien SSA Qébec, is co-author.
- Thomas Poder
- Moustapha Touré
Context
The 13-MD is a tool for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) that takes into account the three essential aspects of physical health, mental health and social health, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is the only tool that takes all three aspects into account in a balanced way, making it more suitable for studies in social services and mental health, without ignoring physical health aspects. It will thus be able to replace other tools whose sensitivity is low in studies whose main outcomes are other than physical health.
Method
Forward and back translations were conducted. A linguistic validation was performed in both Canadian French and Canadian English following an iterative process. This validation was conducted with 15 participants in each group (French and English speakers) using face-to-face cognitive debriefing interviews. This process was done in accordance with academic standards.
Results
The two forward translations resulted in 35.8% of identical sentences (59/165). Back translation indicated that 83.6% of the sentences were identical or almost identical to the original Canadian French version. The review of the back translation led to a few changes in the reconciled forward translation (4/165) and the original version (11/165), while the linguistic validation process led to 24 changes over a possibility of 165 sentences in the Canadian English version and 6 over 165 in the Canadian French version. Most changes provided were minimal and were done to ensure a better understanding of the 13-MD.
Conclusion
The translation and linguistic validation processes were successful in creating a valid 13-MD in Canadian English (13-MD-CE) that is conceptually equivalent to the original version.
To cite
Poder TG, Touré M. Canadian English translation and linguistic validation of the 13-MD to measure global health-related quality of life. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2024 Feb;24(2):267-272. doi: 10.1080/14737167.2023.2268275. Epub 2024 Jan 25. PMID: 37800538.