Development and validation of a novel treatment adherence, satisfaction and knowledge questionnaire (TASK-Q) for adult patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disorders

• DOI: 10.1007/s11102-024-01425-9
• Publication Date: 2024-07-08T14:02:21Z
• Authors: Sofia Llahana; Kevin C. J. Yuen
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Psychometrics; Pituitary Diseases; Pilot Projects; Middle Aged; Article; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Patient Satisfaction; Surveys and Questionnaires; Humans; Female; Hypothalamic Diseases; Aged

Abstract Purpose Successful treatment outcomes of adults with hypothalamic-pituitary disorders necessitate the adoption of intricate self-management behaviors, yet current scales for evaluating treatment adherence and satisfaction are inadequate for this patient group. This research introduces a novel treatment adherence, satisfaction and knowledge questionnaire (TASK-Q) developed specifically to identify patients’ unmet needs in better assessing and managing these disorders.

Methods The study was conducted in three phases: (1) generating items and testing content validity, (2) refining these items through a pilot study, and (3) a main study evaluating the psychometric properties of the TASK-Q scale among 262 adults in a Pituitary Nurse-led Clinic, with 152 (58%) patients completing the questionnaire.

Results Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the factor structure and construct validity of the TASK-Q, revealing a 22-item scale divided into Satisfaction and Knowledge (17 items) and Adherence (5 items) subscales, and exhibiting high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.90). Significant correlations were identified between satisfaction and knowledge (r = 0.67, p < 0.001), satisfaction and adherence (r = 0.23, p = 0.005), and knowledge and adherence (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). Complex treatment regimens, like daily growth hormone injections and adjusting glucocorticoids during illness, negatively affected adherence (p < 0.001).

Conclusion The TASK-Q is a novel validated scale that can effectively evaluate patients’ perspectives on adherence, knowledge and satisfaction. Our findings highlight the significant impact of Advanced Nurse Practitioners in improving patient self-management behaviors, which likely leads to better treatment outcomes for people with hypothalamic-pituitary disorders.