SHORT-FORM-36 IN THE INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT - ASSESSMENT OF ACCEPTABILITY, RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE

The aim of this study was to assess the acceptability, validity and re liability of the Short Form 36 quality of life questionnaire in 166 ad ult patients following discharge from a general intensive care unit. R eliability was quantified by measuring internal consistency using corr elation among items and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Reliability coef ficients were calculated from two-way analysis of variance. Construct validity was tested by examining differences in scores between sex and age groups. Content validity was reflected by the spread of dimension scores. Acceptability to patients appeared reasonable, although consi derable nursing time was required to administer the questionnaire. The measures of reliability exceeded recognised statistical standards in all but two instances. Construct validity was confirmed by lower score s being reported by women and older age groups. The scores of six of t he eight dimensions were spread throughout the entire range of possibl e scores suggesting acceptable content validity.