Italian translation and cultural adaptation of the FACE-Q skin cancer module

• Published in: European journal of plastic surgery 2024-11, Vol.47 (1), Article 102
• Main Authors: Cozzi, Silvia, Cherubino, Mario, Garutti, Leonardo, Paganini, Ferruccio, Del Vecchio, Giulia, Corsini, Beatrice, Matarazzo, Sara, Carminati, Marcello, Valdatta, Luigi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Plastic Surgery
• ISSN: 1435-0130; 1435-0130
• DOI: 10.1007/s00238-024-02253-7

Background The concept of health-related quality of life (QOL) captures the patient’s perspective on how the illness and its treatment affect their well-being. The FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module represents a validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument, specifically developed for patients undergoing facial skin cancer surgery. Methods Upon authorization and licensing from the Q-Portfolio ® team, the authors engaged the process of translation and cultural adaptation of this questionnaire into Italian, in accordance with the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Results In the first step, two Italian translations are produced and reconciled into one. In the second step, the reconciled Italian version is reverse-translated into English. As third step, the back-translation was reviewed and approved by the Q-Portfolio team. A representative sample of the questionnaire’s potential target was interviewed, and final refinements were made in the fourth and final step. At the end of these phases, a validated and conceptually equivalent Italian version of the FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module was achieved. Conclusions This tool is currently ready and available for clinical and research purposes. The introduction of an Italian version marks a significant step towards enhancing its accessibility and relevance, ensuring tangible benefits for both clinicians and patients. Level of Evidence Not gradable.