Reviewing back translation reports of questionnaires: the EORTC conceptual framework and experience

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In the process of translating patient-reported outcomes measures (forward translation(s), reconciliation, back translation(s), review, pilot-testing, review, final translation), there is a general consensus amongst the key players in the field that the back translation review is an important step. Despite this, there has been little guidance published on how to perform it.

Areas covered: Having assessed the most recent back translation reports reviewed by the Translation Unit at the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) in Brussels, we have identified two concepts to help guide the back translation review process: the underlying issue (the problem that the item measures) and the structure (the linguistic and formal construction of the item). This paper presents these concepts and how they are used in the review process.

Expert commentary: Despite certain difficulties it might pose, back translation review remains one of the standard steps to assure concept equivalence. This paper aims at starting a much-needed exchange of experience and knowledge among people who perform reviews as part of the process of translating patient-reported outcomes measures.

KEYWORDS:

• Back translation
• PROM translation
• quality of life
• questionnaire translation
• translation process

Acknowledgments

This publication was supported by the Fonds Cancer (FOCA) from Belgium.

Declaration of interest

D Kuliś and C Whittaker are members of the EORTC Quality of Life Group, which funds the position of Translation Team Leader and Quality of Life Officer at EORTC HQ. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.