A model for cross-cultural translation and adaptation of speech-language pathology assessment measures: Application to the Focus on the Outcomes of Communication Under Six (FOCUS^©)

Abstract

Purpose

In the absence of a gold standard, this study illustrates the process involved in the cross-cultural translation and adaptation of the FOCUS^© and its shortened version, FOCUS-34^© (the Parent Form and Instruction Sheet, as well as the Clinician Form and Instruction Sheet), while also determining the social validity and clinical applicability of the translated measure. The target language used as example was Afrikaans, one of the 11 official languages of South Africa.

Method

A two-phase cross-cultural translation model was employed in which Phase 1 (comprising a six-step blind back-translation procedure) was sequentially followed by Phase 2 (social validation and clinical applicability of the measure, using focus groups with stakeholders).

Result

The extensive process followed in Phase 1 resulted in a clear and appropriate translation acceptable to both stakeholder groups (parents and speech-language pathologists). Both groups questioned the meaning of certain concepts, explored cultural differences and requested the extension of some items. Parents also shared their emotional reactions towards assessment, while therapists focussed on editorial changes to the measures.

Conclusion

A framework is proposed for cross-cultural translation and adaptation of assessment measures with suitability in the speech-language pathology discipline.

Keywords:

• Clinician views
• cross-cultural
• International Classification of Functioning
• Disability and Health (ICF)
• parental views
• social validity
• translation

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Correction

Correction Statement

This article was originally published with errors, which have now been corrected in the online version. Please see Correction (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17549507.2021.1908016)

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr N. Thomas-Stonell for permission to translate the FOCUS^© and FOCUS-34^©, Dr Mats Granlund for commenting on the first draft of the paper and Ms Enid Moolman for assisting with the project’s logistical arrangements. Finally, sincere thanks are also due to all the translators, parents, SLPs and research assistants.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this study.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in the paper was supported by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) [grant number 15165049] awarded to the first and second authors. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the CADFP.