The Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale: Developing a Visual Scale to Assess Frailty

Authors

  • Olga Theou Dalhousie University; Nova Scotia Health Authority;University of Adelaide
  • Melissa Andrew Dalhousie University; Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Sally Suriani Ahip Ministry of Health
  • Emma Squires Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Lisa McGarrigle Dalhousie University
  • Joanna M. Blodgett MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL
  • Judah Goldstein Emergency Health Services Nova Scotia;
  • Kathryn Hominick Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Judith Godin Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Glen Hougan Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University
  • Joshua J. Armstrong Lakehead University
  • Lindsay Wallace Dalhousie University
  • Shariff Ghazali Sazlina Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Paige Moorhouse Dalhousie University; Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Sherri Fay Nova Scotia Health Authority
  • Renuka Visvanathan University of Adelaide;
  • Kenneth Rockwood Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Health Authority

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5770/cgj.22.357

Keywords:

frailty, assessment, feasibility, content validity, Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale

Abstract

Background

Standardized frailty assessments are needed for early iden-tification and treatment. We aimed to develop a frailty scale using visual images, the Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale (PFFS), and to examine its feasibility and content validity.

Methods

In Phase 1, a multidisciplinary team identified domains for measurement, operationalized impairment levels, and re-viewed visual languages for the scale. In Phase 2, feedback was sought from health professionals and the general public. In Phase 3, 366 participants completed preliminary testing on the revised draft, including 162 UK paramedics, and rated the scale on feasibility and usability. In Phase 4, following translation into Malay, the final prototype was tested in 95 participants in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.

Results

The final scale incorporated 14 domains, each conceptual-ized with 3–6 response levels. All domains were rated as “understood well” by most participants (range 64–94%). Percentage agreement with positive statements regarding appearance, feasibility, and usefulness ranged from 66% to 95%. Overall feedback from health-care professionals sup-ported its content validity.

Conclusions

The PFFS is comprehensive, feasible, and appears gener-alizable across countries, and has face and content validity. Investigation into the reliability and predictive validity of the scale is currently underway.

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Published

2019-06-04

How to Cite

1.
Theou O, Andrew M, Ahip SS, Squires E, McGarrigle L, Blodgett JM, Goldstein J, Hominick K, Godin J, Hougan G, Armstrong JJ, Wallace L, Ghazali Sazlina S, Moorhouse P, Fay S, Visvanathan R, Rockwood K. The Pictorial Fit-Frail Scale: Developing a Visual Scale to Assess Frailty. Can Geriatr J [Internet]. 2019 Jun. 4 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];22(2). Available from: https://cgjonline.ca/index.php/cgj/article/view/357

Issue

Section

Original Research