Abstract:
Background The EQ-TIPS (v2.0) is an experimental instrument to measure and value the HRQoL in children aged 0–3 years. This study consulted experts and caregivers to (a) review the instrument’s wording and content for global relevance; (b) assess the need for additional dimensions; (c) identify potential challenges in measuring HRQoL in young children. Methods Participants included 26 HRQoL experts, 28 child health and development experts, and 65 caregivers of young children, recruited through snowballing and international networks. Participants completed online surveys, with analyses involving thematic assessment of open-ended responses and frequency reporting of closed-ended responses. Results EQ-TIPS v2.0 was positively received with participants recognising its potential value in clinical practice, health research and policymaking. There was limited consensus amongst experts regarding the use of the term ‘age-appropriate’ within the EQ-TIPS dimensions. Concern was highlighted regarding the perceived overlap between social interaction and communication; and whether in their currently worded forms they are distinct enough to warrant being separate dimensions. Furthermore, respondents questioned whether the dimensions are sensitive enough to account for the nuances of a child’s abilities across the age range. It was suggested that introducing examples across all dimensions would decrease this subjectivity of proxy reporting and reduce the global differences in perceptions of dimensions. Additional dimensions suggested for further investigation at the multinational level were sleep and emotional functioning. Conclusion Further multinational development of the EQ-TIPS will be guided by expert and caregiver input, with proposed descriptive system modifications to be qualitatively tested in subsequent research.
