Validation of the short-form quality care questionnaire – palliative care in Brazilian patients with heart failure eligible for palliative care

BACKGROUND: The Brazilian version of the Quality Care Questionnaire - Palliative Care (QCQ-PC) is an instrument developed to assess the quality of care provided in palliative care. OBJECTIVE: To structurally validate the Brazilian version of the QCQ-PC for use in individuals with HF eligible for palliative care. METHODOLOGY: This study aimed to structurally validate the QCQ-PC, following the Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN). Data were collected using the QCQ-PC, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey Instrument (SF-36), and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha and, structural validity was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Construct validity was assessed by correlations between QCQ-PC and SF-36. RESULTS: The study sample (n = 113) consisted predominantly of middle-aged to older adults mainly classified as NYHA class I (36.3%) or III (32.7%). The structural validity of the two-domain of the QCQ-PC was confirmed by adequate fit indices: χ²/df = 1.46; CFI = 0.979; TLI = 0.971; RMSEA = 0.064; SRMR = 0.067; and with factor loadings ≥ 0.30. Construct validity was demonstrated by correlations of less than 0.30 between the QCQ-PC and SF-36 domains. Reliability was adequate, with ICC values ​​above 0.80 for both domains, measurement error less than 10%, and Cronbach's alpha greater than 0.70. CONCLUSION: The internal structure with two domains is the most suitable for use in individuals with FH eligible for palliative care through the QCQ-PC. The constructs are valid and reliable, with adequate internal consistency.