The Teen-Aged Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation profile: Item pool development for a computer adaptive test.

Abstract

Teenagers undergo significant developmental and social changes, which can be further complicated by burn injuries. A condition-specific patient-reported outcome measure is needed to assess the unique challenges faced by this population. A comprehensive literature review identified existing instruments, where items were binned and reviewed through qualitative analysis and six rounds of expert consensus meetings. Cognitive interviews with eligible teenagers (n = 6) were conducted to refine item content and assess clarity. Grounded theory methods were used until thematic saturation was reached. 5041 items were extracted from 182 instruments, yielding a final pool of 171 items. A 5-point Likert scale was assigned based on frequency (28 items) or agreement (144 items). The items were divided into two domains: activity (106 items) and participation (65 items). The finalized item pools were reviewed and approved during a final expert consensus meeting. The Teen-Aged Life Impact Burn Recovery Evaluation (LIBRE) item pools were developed through rigorous literature review, expert input, and direct engagement with teenagers. Future work includes a calibration study to evaluate psychometric properties and support the development of a computer adaptive test (CAT) for use with teen burn survivors.