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Background: The Satisfaction with Face Overall and Psychological Function scales are the most frequently used FACE-Q Aesthetics module scales. This study aimed to extend their range of measurement by adding and testing new concepts. We aimed to create FACE-Q Aesthetics item libraries. Methods: In-depth concept elicitation interviews were conducted. Concepts were formed into items and refined through multiple rounds of patient and expert input. The items were tested with people living in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom who had minimally invasive facial aesthetic treatments. Participants were recruited through an online platform (ie, Prolific). Psychometric properties were examined using Rasch measurement theory analysis, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. Results: We conducted 26 interviews. New concepts were developed into items and refined with input from 12 experts, 11 clinic patients, and 184 Prolific participants. A sample of 1369 Prolific participants completed 52 appearance and 22 psychological items. After removing 10 and 2 items respectively, the psychometric tests provided evidence of reliability with the person separation index, Cronbach alpha, and test-retest reliability values without extremes of 0.88 or more. For validity, lower scores were associated with looking older than one's age, being more bothered by facial skin laxity, treatment wearing off, and having deeper lines on Merz Assessment scales. Short-form scales formed from the 42 appearance items provide examples of item library application. Conclusions: This study provides an innovative means to customize scales to measure appearance and psychological function that maximizes content validity and minimizes respondent burden in the context of minimally invasive treatments.
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Background: As the aesthetics field continues to innovate, it is important that outcomes are carefully evaluated. Objectives: To develop item libraries to measure how skin looks and feels from the patient perspective, that is, SKIN-Q. Methods: Concept elicitation interviews were conducted and data were used to draft the SKIN-Q, which was refined with patient and expert feedback. An online sample (i.e., Prolific) provided field-test data. Results: We conducted 26 qualitative interviews (88% women; 65% ≥ 40 years of age). A draft of the SKIN-Q item libraries were formed and revised with input from 12 experts, 11 patients, and 174 online participants who provided 180 survey responses. The psychometric sample of 657 participants (82% women; 36% aged ≥40 years) provided 713 completed surveys (facial, n = 595; body, n = 118). After removing 14 items, the psychometric analysis provided evidence of reliability (≥0.85) and validity for a 20-item set that measures how skin feels and a 46-item set that measures how skin looks. Short-form scales were tested to provide examples for how to utilize the item sets. Conclusion: The SKIN-Q represents an innovative way to measure satisfaction with skin (face and body) in the context of minimally invasive treatments.
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BACKGROUND: The concept of natural after a facial aesthetic treatment represents an under-studied area. We added scales to FACE-Q Aesthetics to provide a means to measure this concept from the patient's perspective. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate FACE-Q natural scales. METHODS: Concept elicitation interviews with people having minimally invasive treatments were conducted to explore the natural concept and develop scales. Patient and expert input was used to refine scale content. An online sample (i.e., Prolific) of people who had a facial aesthetic treatment to examine psychometric properties using Rasch Measurement Theory analysis. A test-retest reliability study was performed, and construct validity examined. RESULTS: Interviews with 26 people were conducted. Three scales were developed and refined with input from 12 experts, 11 patients, and 184 online survey participants. Data from 1358 online participants provided evidence of scale reliability and validity. Reliability was high with Person Separation Index, Cronbach alpha and intraclass correlation coefficients values without extremes >0.82. Tests of construct validity confirmed that the scales functioned as hypothesized. Higher scores on the Expectations scale were associated with wanting a more natural look and movement after treatment. In addition, higher scores on the Natural Appearance and Natural Outcome scales correlated with better scores on other FACE-Q Aesthetics scales, and were associated with the face looking and feeling natural. CONCLUSIONS: Many people seeking facial aesthetic treatments want to look natural. These new FACE-Q Aesthetics scales provide a means to measure the concept of 'natural' from the patient's perspective.
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Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are needed to measure outcomes that matter to people with nail conditions, from their perspective. Objective: To design a comprehensive new PROM (NAIL-Q) to measure outcomes important in toenail and fingernail conditions. Methods: A mixed methods iterative approach was used. Phase 1 involved concept elicitation interviews that were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded line-by-line. Concepts were developed into scales and refined through cognitive debriefing interviews with patients and expert input. Data was then collected from an international sample using a crowdsource platform. Eligible participants were aged ≥18 years with a nail condition for at least 3 months. Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) analysis was used to examine item and scale performance. Other psychometric tests included test-retest reliability, and convergent and construct validity. Results: Phase 1 interviews involved 23 patients with 10 nail conditions and input from 11 dermatologists. The analysis led to the development of 84 items for field-testing. In Phase 2, 555 participants completed the survey. Toenail conditions (n = 441) were more common than fingernail conditions (n = 186). The RMT analysis reduced the number of items tested to 45 in 7 scales measuring nail appearance, health-related quality of life concerns, and treatment outcomes. All items had ordered thresholds and nonsignificant chi-square p values. Reliability statistics with and without extremes for the Person Separation Index were ≥0.79 and Cronbach's alpha were ≥0.83, and for intraclass correlation coefficients were ≥0.81. Construct validity was further supported in that most participants agreed that the NAIL-Q was easy to understand, asked relevant and important questions in a respectful way, and that it should be used to inform clinical care. Conclusion: The NAIL-Q is a rigorously designed and tested PROM that measures nail appearance, health-related quality of life and treatment outcomes. This PROM can be used in clinical practice to inform patient care and to include the patient perspective in research.
