title: Development and validation of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-SUNS).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SUNS) is one of the only unmet needs measures that was developed and evaluated utilising a population-based sample of cancer survivors. At 89 items, the current scale is quite burdensome. The current study aimed to develop a valid and reliable short version of this survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A heterogeneous sample of 1,589 cancer survivors, aged 19 years or over at diagnosis, diagnosed with a histologically confirmed cancer in the previous 12 to 60 months, completed the SUNS. Using these data, we employed a combined theoretical and statistical method of reducing the number of items in the SUNS. The shortened survey was examined for construct validity, internal consistency, discriminant validity and floor and ceiling effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-nine items were removed. Construct validity closely reflected the original structure of the SUNS. However, all items from the Emotional health and Relationships domains loaded onto one factor. Cronbach's alpha for the final four domains were 0.85 or above, demonstrating strong internal consistency. Intra-class correlations of the three domains from the original survey (Financial concerns, Information and Access and continuity of care) and shortened survey were high (>0.9). Discriminant validity illustrated the short-form SUNS' ability to discriminate between those who had recently received treatment and those who had not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study describes the development and psychometric evaluation of the short-form SUNS (SF-SUNS). Future studies should confirm the test-retest reliability and predictive validity of the SF-SUNS utilising large, independent, population-based samples of cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Health Systems, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave, West, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1.
authors.forename: H Sharon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Alix E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Rob W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sanson-Fisher
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taylor-Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult