engleski

EGPRN's Multi-morbidity definition translation and homogeneity into eight European languages

An EGPRN working group has published a comprehensive efinition of multimorbidity. In order to be used for collaborative research through the EGPRN that deffinition had to be translated into different European languages. The results have to be homogeneous to ensure future collaborative research, Research question: What is the homogenity of the translations of the EGPRN Multimorbidity definition in Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Italian and Polish? Method: The natonal teams undertook the translation using a forward backward translation system with a Delphi consensus procedure. In everycountry a group of 30 native expert GPs, English speaking, still in practice and havin teaching or research activities had to be constituted. After reaching consensus a bakward translation had to be undertaken for each national groupand a meta etnographic analysis had to be undertaken in the EUROPEAN Spring 2013. meeting to ensure homogenityof the translated definitions. Results: All national groups achieved the translation process. The backward translation found some difficulties with the translations of frailty, somatic risk factors, and burden of diseases in most countries. Final agreement between the international group and the native teams was achieved for all translations. The meta ethnographic analysis ensured homogeneity of the translations. Conclusion: The multi-morbidity definition is now translated in Bosnian, Bulgarian, Croatian, French, German, Greek, Italian and Polish. It is usable for further research within the EGPRN. The translation protocol is available on demand for other languages.

multimorbidity; deffinition; translation; homogenity; family medicine

European Journal of General Practice, 2013 ; 19:162-184 DOI:10.3109/13814788.2013.822859