Development of the AOSpine Patient Reported Outcome Spine Trauma (AOSpine PROST): a universal disease-specific outcome instrument for individuals with traumatic spinal column injury.
To report on the multi-phase process used in developing the AOSpine Patient Reported Outcome Spine Trauma (AOSpine PROST), as well as the results of its application in a pilot study.



The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) methodology was used as the basis for the development of this tool. Four preparatory studies and a consensus conference were performed, and resulted in the selection of 25 core ICF categories as well as the scale for use. The first draft of the Dutch version of AOSpine PROST was pilot tested among a consecutively selected representative sample of 25 spine trauma patients, using the 'think aloud' and 'probing' methods.



Of the 25 core ICF categories, 9 related to body functions, 14 activities and participation, and 2 environmental factors. Those 25 core categories were implemented into the selected response scale, and resulted in a draft version of AOSpine PROST consisting of 19 items. From the pilot study, very satisfactory results were obtained for comprehensibility, relevance, acceptability, feasibility and completeness, as well as high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.926).



Following the ICF methodology and including the results of 4 different preparatory studies and a consensus conference, the AOSpine PROST is developed. Taking the results from the subsequent pilot study into account, a definite version to be further validated will be developed. The AOSpine PROST has the potential to be a helpful tool in clinical practice and research to compare various treatments and improve the quality of health care.
Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, HP G05.228, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. s.sadiqi-3@umcutrecht.nl.
Said
S
Sadiqi
Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, HP G05.228, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
A Mechteld
AM
Lehr
Rehabilitation Center 'De Hoogstraat', Utrecht, The Netherlands.|Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Marcel W
MW
Post
Department of Orthopaedics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Marcel F
MF
Dvorak
Center for Spinal Surgery, BGU-Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
Frank
F
Kandziora
Department of Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore, India.
S
S
Rajasekaran
Center for Spinal Surgery, Schön Klinik Nürnberg Fürth, Fürth, Germany.
Klaus J
KJ
Schnake
Department of Orthopaedics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Alexander R
AR
Vaccaro
Department of Orthopaedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, HP G05.228, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
F Cumhur
FC
Oner
D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D064702:International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057566:Self Report; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Development; ICF; Outcome instrument; Patient reported outcome measure; Spine trauma