Lavan, R.P.; Tahir, M.; O’Donnell, C.; Bellenger, A.; de Bock, E.; Koochaki, P. Development and Validation of a Canine Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and a Human–Canine Bond Questionnaire for Use in Veterinary Practice. Animals2023, 13, 3255.
Lavan, R.P.; Tahir, M.; O’Donnell, C.; Bellenger, A.; de Bock, E.; Koochaki, P. Development and Validation of a Canine Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and a Human–Canine Bond Questionnaire for Use in Veterinary Practice. Animals 2023, 13, 3255.
Lavan, R.P.; Tahir, M.; O’Donnell, C.; Bellenger, A.; de Bock, E.; Koochaki, P. Development and Validation of a Canine Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and a Human–Canine Bond Questionnaire for Use in Veterinary Practice. Animals2023, 13, 3255.
Lavan, R.P.; Tahir, M.; O’Donnell, C.; Bellenger, A.; de Bock, E.; Koochaki, P. Development and Validation of a Canine Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire and a Human–Canine Bond Questionnaire for Use in Veterinary Practice. Animals 2023, 13, 3255.
Abstract
Background: Valid questionnaires to assess dogs’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in veterinary practice can improve canine health outcomes and communications between veterinarians and dog caretakers. The Canine HRQoL Questionnaire (HRQoL-Q) and the Human-Canine Bond Questionnaire (HCBQ) were developed and validated to fulfill this need. Methods: A literature review, interviews with veterinarians, and focus groups with caretakers were conducted to generate questionnaire items to develop draft questionnaires, piloted with caretakers to establish content validity. Measurement properties were evaluated using data from a prospective survey study (N = 327). Results: Draft Canine HRQoL-Q and HCBQ measures were developed, including a domain structure, items, recall period, and scale/response options. Refinements were made via iterative cognitive interviews with caretakers. When no additional revisions were indicated and content validity established, the questionnaires were psychometrically tested. Ceiling effects were observed for all items, and factor analyses indicated that pre-specified domains are appropriate. Internal consistency was demonstrated for the HCBQ (α = 0.79–0.86) and all but the canine HRQoL-Q social functioning domain (α = 0.60)). Test-retest reliability for the canine HRQoL-Q was generally moderate-to-good (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] > 0.79). Test-retest reliability for the HCBQ was moderate (ICCs: 0.70–0.79), except the trust domain (ICC: 0.58). Known-groups validity was demonstrated by significant differences (p < 0.05) in scores by health/bonding groups. Convergent validity was supported (r > 0.40) between all domains and the total score for both questionnaires. Conclusions: The Canine HRQoL-Q and the HCBQ are valid, reliable measures of canine HRQoL for use in veterinary clinics and appear to measure related but distinct concepts that contribute to canine health and wellness.
Keywords
canine; health-related quality of life; human-canine bond; validity; reliability; outcomes
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Veterinary Medicine
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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