Adaptação e validação intercultural da versão portuguesa do Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey

ABSTRACT - The aim of this study was to adapt and validate the Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey (PTOPS) for the Portuguese culture. This version was obtained by a forward/ backward translation, consensus panels, and pre-test. The Portuguese PTOPS was administered to 76 physical therapy outpatients in 10 health services. The content analysis (panels of experts and lay people) and the factor analysis resulted in a reduction of the original 34 items to 28 items that validly identify 3 constructs. The reliability was acceptable for both internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.73) and reproducibility (ICC between 0.84 and 0.87), which represent acceptable levels of validity and reliability.RESUMO - Foi objetivo deste estudo adaptar e validar para a cultura portuguesa o Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey (PTOPS). Esta versão resultou do processo de tradução, retroversão, painéis de consenso e pré teste. A PTOPS foi administrada a 76 doentes ambulatórios de fisioterapia, em 10 instituições de saúde. Da análise de conteúdo (painéis de peritos e gente comum) e da análise fatorial resultou uma redução dos 34 itens da versão original para 28 itens, que identificam validamente 3 constructos. A fiabilidade foi aceitável quer na coerência interna (α de Cronbach = 0,73), quer na reprodutibilidade (ICC entre 0,84 e 0,87). Evidenciando níveis aceitáveis de validade e fiabilidade.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reliability and validity of PedsQL for Portuguese children aged 5–7 and 8–12 years

BACKGROUND: Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) is a measure to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents. It is formed by 23 items adapted to children age and includes a parent proxy report version. With four multidimensional subscales and three summary scores, it measures health as defined by WHO. The concepts measured by this instrument are ‘physical functioning’ (8 items), ‘emotional functioning’ (5 items), ‘social functioning’ (5 items) and ‘school functioning’ (5 items). It also measures a ‘total scale score’ (23 items), a ‘physical health summary score’ (8 items) and a ‘psychosocial health summary score’ (15 items). The aim of this paper is to present the main results of the cultural adaptation and validation of the PedsQL into European Portuguese. METHODS: The Portuguese version was the result of a forward-backward translation process, with a cognitive debriefing analysis, guaranteeing face validity and semantic equivalence. Children aged 5–7 and 8–12 were randomly selected and were asked to fill a socio-demographic data survey and the Portuguese versions of PedsQL and KINDL, another HRQoL measure for children and adolescents. They were divided into three groups, healthy children, children with type I diabetes and children with spina bifida. The reliability was tested for reproducibility (ICC) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). The construct validity (known-groups discriminant validity) was supported by differences between self-reports from healthy children and children with chronic conditions, and from children with chronic diseases and their parents. The criterion validity was tested after the correlations of the scores obtained by both children and adolescents HRQoL assessment instruments. RESULTS: A total of 179 children and 97 parents were recruited. PedsQL demonstrated good levels of reproducibility (r > 0.95 in all versions) and acceptable levels of internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha at 0.70 on most scales. Concordance values between children’s and parents’ perceptions ranged between 0.36 and 0.78 and the correlations with KINDL questionnaire were excellent, supporting concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The Portuguese version of the PedsQL demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties for future research and clinical practice for children aged 5–12

Construção de instrumento para avaliação de cursos de pós-graduação

Este artigo tem como objetivo propor um método para avaliar cursos de pós-graduação em Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES). O método busca identificar, através de um questionário, critérios inibidores da qualidade e promotores da qualidade em cursos de pós-graduação. Critérios significativos nos dois blocos são identificados através de uma Análise Fatorial. Em um segundo passo, esses critérios são contemplados através de ações que atendem as demandas identificadas. O método proposto é ilustrado através de um estudo de caso. Ao final do estudo pode-se constatar a eficiência da Análise Fatorial como técnica auxiliar à tomada de decisão por parte da IES.This paper presents a method to evaluate graduate programs in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The method aims at identifying criteria that inhibit and promote the quality of graduate programs. Significant criteria in both cases are indentified through a Factor Analysis. In a second step such criteria are converted into actions addressing the demands identified. The method is illustrated through a case study. We eventually conclude for the efficiency of Factor Analysis as technique to support the decision making processes in HEIs

Mapping density, diversity and species-richness of the Amazon tree flora

Using 2.046 botanically-inventoried tree plots across the largest tropical forest on Earth, we mapped tree species-diversity and tree species-richness at 0.1-degree resolution, and investigated drivers for diversity and richness. Using only location, stratified by forest type, as predictor, our spatial model, to the best of our knowledge, provides the most accurate map of tree diversity in Amazonia to date, explaining approximately 70% of the tree diversity and species-richness. Large soil-forest combinations determine a significant percentage of the variation in tree species-richness and tree alpha-diversity in Amazonian forest-plots. We suggest that the size and fragmentation of these systems drive their large-scale diversity patterns and hence local diversity. A model not using location but cumulative water deficit, tree density, and temperature seasonality explains 47% of the tree species-richness in the terra-firme forest in Amazonia. Over large areas across Amazonia, residuals of this relationship are small and poorly spatially structured, suggesting that much of the residual variation may be local. The Guyana Shield area has consistently negative residuals, showing that this area has lower tree species-richness than expected by our models. We provide extensive plot meta-data, including tree density, tree alpha-diversity and tree species-richness results and gridded maps at 0.1-degree resolution