Introduction: Frailty as a distinct clinical syndrome gains in awareness as the need for better understanding of health and declined functional abilities of the elderly. There is, as yet, no clear consensus on the definition of frailty, which sometimes makes it difficult to diagnose and determine the development and severity of the condition. Early identification and intervention can potentially decrease or reverse frailty, and prevent sudden and unexpected adverse health outcomes, including falls, worsening mobility, ADL disability, delirium, institutionalisation, hospitalisation and death. For this purpose, multiple screening instruments have been developed and validated for use in clinical practice, among which PRISMA-7 is recommended as a simple, reliable, validated, accurate, sensitive and little time-consuming tool for early detection of frailty and significant functional decline. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is the translation and cultural adaptation of the original (English) version of the PRISMA-7 questionnaire into Slovene as a safe and efficient screening test which qualified for use in our primary care and clinical settings. Methods: The translation process followed the recommendations and instructions of the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Group. We adhered to the recommended translation procedure which was conducted in three steps. The study participants used an additional questionnaire to assess the understandability, simplicity, conciseness, and the acceptable time to complete the questionnaire. Additionally, the researchers evaluated the adequacy of the sequence of questions, usefulness and time necessary for data collection. Both groups reported the amount of time they spent on filling in the questionnaire. Results: The highest average score accorded to the questionnaire by the study participants were its understandability and the adequacy of time necessary for its completion (5.0/5.0), followed by the simplicity (4.9/5.0) and conciseness (4.7/5.0). The average time the study participants spent on completion of the questionnaire was 60.5 seconds. The highest average score accorded to the questionnaire by the researchers was its conciseness (5.0/5.0), followed by the simplicity (4.8/5.0), understandability (4.6/5.0) and adequate sequence of questions (4.4/5.0), usefulness (4.2/5.0), and appropriate time for completion of the questionnaire (3.8/5.0). The average time the researchers spent on data collection of the questionnaire results was 123.6 seconds. Discussion and conclusion: Results of the study show that the questionnaire is understandable and simple for the study participants. In view of the researchers, the PRISMA-7 can be employed as a valid screening instrument in the identification of pre-frail and frail elderly as part of routine clinical practice. On this basis, subsequent interventions with appropriate goal-directed care can potentially decrease or reverse frailty, especially in the early stages. Further research is, however, recommended on a larger sample of participants.
|
