title: A poverty-related quality of life questionnaire can help to detect health inequalities in emergency departments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to develop a self-administered, multidimensional, poverty-related quality of life (PQoL) questionnaire for individuals seeking care in emergency departments (EDs): the PQoL-17.
  
  
  METHODS
  The development of the PQoL was undertaken in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. The content of the PQoL was derived from 80 interviews with patients seeking care in EDs. Using item response and classical test theories, item reduction was performed in 3 EDs on 300 patients and validation was completed in 10 EDs on 619 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PQoL contains 17 items describing seven dimensions (self-esteem/vitality, psychological well-being, relationships with family, relationships with friends, autonomy, physical well-being/access to care, and future perception). The seven-factor structure accounted for 75.1% of the total variance. This model showed a good fit (indices from the LISREL model: root mean square error of approximation, 0.055; comparative fit index, 0.97; general fit index, 0.96; standardized root mean square residual, 0.058). Each item achieved the 0.40 standard for item internal consistency, and Cronbach α coefficients were >0.70. Significant associations with socioeconomic and clinical indicators showed good discriminant and external validity. Infit statistics ranged from 0.82 to 1.16.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PQoL-17 presents satisfactory psychometric properties and can be completed quickly, thereby fulfilling the goal of brevity sought in EDs.
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, EA 3279-Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life-Research Unit, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin,13005 Marseille, France. Electronic address: laurent.boyer@ap-hm.fr.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, EA 3279-Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life-Research Unit, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin,13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baumstarck
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, EA 3279-Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life-Research Unit, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin,13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Teodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iordanova
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, EA 3279-Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life-Research Unit, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin,13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, La Conception Hospital, 147 boulevard Baille, 13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jean
authors.affiliation: Aix-Marseille University, EA 3279-Public Health, Chronic Diseases and Quality of Life-Research Unit, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin,13005 Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Auquier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Deprivation; Emergency; Outcome assessment; Poverty; Quality of life; Socioeconomic status