Portuguese adaptation and validation of a patient-reported experience measure for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A protocol study

BACKGROUND: There is a growing attention to patient-reported experience measures in assessing the quality of care in patient-centered care models. A specific patient-reported experience measure for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been developed in the United Kingdom—Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure. This patient-reported experience measure might be feasible to be used in Portugal, yet an adaptation and validation process is needed. Therefore, the aims of this study will be to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Portuguese version of the Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure, evaluate its content and face validity through a qualitative approach, and evaluate its psychometric properties through a clinical field testing. METHODS: This study is based on a multimethod approach combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. This study will include patients with RA from a single rheumatology center. Three sequential phases are planned: Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure translation and cultural adaptation, Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure content and face validity assessed through 2 focus groups with at least 10 patients, and the Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure field testing through a cross-sectional study with 50 patients. CONCLUSIONS: By involving patients with RA in the validation and implementation of the Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure, we expect to demonstrate the usefulness of this specific patient-reported experience measure to improve health care provided to patients with RA.