Patient validation of cues and concerns identified according to Verona coding definitions of emotional sequences (VR-CoDES): a video- and interview-based approach.
OBJECTIVE
A challenging but main task for clinicians is to identify patients' concerns related to their medical conditions. The study aim was to validate a new coding scheme for identifying patients' cues and concerns.


METHODS
12 videotaped consultations between nurses and pain patients were coded according to the Verona Coding Scheme for Emotional Sequences (VR-CoDES). During a metainterview each patient watched his/her own video interview with the researcher to confirm or disconfirm the identified cues and concerns. A directive or an open format was applied. Quantitative and qualitative data analyses were performed.


RESULTS
Patients' confirmation in relation to the coding gave a sensitivity of 0.95 and specificity of 0.99 in the directive format and a sensitivity of 0.99 and specificity of 0.70 applying the open format. Through a qualitative analysis 83% of researcher-identified cues and concerns were validated. 17% were not confirmed or uncertain.


CONCLUSIONS
The VR-CoDES seems to capture what are experienced as real concerns to patients, and proves to be a coding scheme with a high degree of ecological validity.


CONCLUSIONS
The VR-CoDES provides a valid framework for detecting patients' cues and concerns, and should be explored as a training tool to develop clinicians' empathic accuracy.
Eide
Hilde
H
Oslo University College, Faculty of Nursing, Norway. Hilde.Eide@su.hio.no
Eide
Tom
T
Rustøen
Tone
T
Finset
Arnstein
A
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003463:Cues; D004644:Emotions; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014705:Verbal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014743:Videotape Recording