Patient-reported outcome measures in key African languages to promote diversity in research and clinical practice (PROUD)—protocol for a systematic review of measurement properties
Date
2021-06-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC (part of Springer Nature)
Abstract
Introduction: Sub-Saharan Africa is a subcontinent with a proud cultural richness and diversity, yet inexplicably also
a region with severe health care challenges and inequity. To challenge this health equity gap and reduce the
burden of disease, the patient’s voice in monitoring and evaluation of health and health care interventions is
paramount. The aim of this two-phased review is to map the availability of patient-reported outcome measures
(PROMs) in a selection of non-English, African Languages, and systematically evaluate the measurement properties
of the PROMs that were identified.
Methods: This systematic review will be conducted in two phases. In phase 1, we will scope the literature for patientreported
outcome measures (PROMs), either developed from scratch or through translation and validation in a sub-Saharan
African country and a selection of non-English, African languages (n = 31; spoken in > 10 million people and/or a national
language). The availability of PROMs will be mapped against the previously reported burden of disease in the respective
countries included. Subsequently, in phase 2, we systematically evaluate the measurement properties of these PROMs using
the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology for systematic
reviews on PROMs. To ensure rigour, secondary searches will be developed to specifically locate articles that report on the
measurement properties of the PROMs identified during phase 1. The evidence will be graded using the modified GRADE
approach.
Discussion: This review will provide a comprehensive overview and quality appraisal of PROMs developed in non-English,
African languages. Consequently, this review when concluded may be an important first step in promoting access to these
PROMs for use in clinical practice and research, as well as facilitate identification and prioritization of key knowledge gaps.
Description
CITATION: Heine, M., et al. 2021. Patient-reported outcome measures in key African languages to promote diversity in research and clinical practice (PROUD)—protocol for a systematic review of measurement properties. Trials, 22:380, doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05328-z.
The original publication is available at https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
The original publication is available at https://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com
Publication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund
Keywords
Assessment of outcome (Medical care), Delivery of health care -- Inequality, Systematic reviews (Medical research), Africa, Sub-Saharan, Health equity gap
Citation
Heine, M., et al. 2021. Patient-reported outcome measures in key African languages to promote diversity in research and clinical practice (PROUD)—protocol for a systematic review of measurement properties. Trials, 22:380, doi:10.1186/s13063-021-05328-z