Authors
S Vasudevan, Department of Urology, Medical College, Kottayam; Associate Editor, Kerala Medical Journal.
Abstract
Background: Questionnaires are essential tools in medical research and patient management, designed to systematically collect and record information on a topic of interest. They typically consist of a list of questions, clear instructions, and space for responses, aiming to gather objective data on knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Effective questionnaire design requires careful planning to ensure worthwhile and generalizable data.
Methods: Questionnaires can be administered through various modes, including face-to-face, paper-and-pencil, telephone, mail, or electronically. While offering advantages like cost-effectiveness and standardized data collection, they pose challenges such as potential misinterpretation of questions, limitations on response options, and often low return rates. Bias from strong viewpoints and the need for representative sampling are also significant concerns.
Clinical Utility: Their applications in clinical practice are extensive. They are used to understand provider-patient communication effectiveness, assess the utility of treatment modalities (e.g., in cancer research), determine illness seriousness (e.g., IIEF for erectile dysfunction, stress urinary incontinence), evaluate quality of life before and after interventions (e.g., renal transplantation), and gauge patient satisfaction in healthcare settings to drive organizational changes. Recent journal articles highlight their use in developing a Malayalam diabetes knowledge questionnaire and comparing teaching modalities.
Conclusion: Despite inherent challenges, questionnaires remain invaluable instruments for gathering diverse data, informing clinical decisions, and enhancing patient care and research, provided they are thoughtfully designed and administered.