BRFSS Questions Help Determine Quality of Life Among People with Cardiovascular Disease

Boston University: Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Cardiovascular Health

Researchers developed and are testing survey questions that will help assess the quality of life among people with heart disease and stroke. About 16 questions are being tested, all of which are designed to measure disease-related aspects of a person’s life—such as perception of recovery from the illness, emotional health, social interactions, daily functioning, energy and fatigue, and overall satisfaction with the health care process. Researchers are administering the test questions to about 80 clinic patients through a “Think Aloud” protocol in which participants are encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the questions and response options. Based on the results, researchers will select the most valid and reliable questions to retest in telephone surveys with about 120 participants and in the Massachusetts’ BRFSS quality of life module. Final recommendations from this two-year study will be made to the national BRFSS program. The project aims to improve the delivery of health care for people with cardiovascular disease.

 

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