Assessing the sensibility and utility of a short-form version of the HIV Disability Questionnaire in clinical practice settings in Canada, Ireland and the USA: a mixed methods study

Objectives The Short-Form HIV Disability Questionnaire (SF-HDQ) was developed to measure the presence, severity and episodic nature of health challenges across six domains. Our aim was to assess the sensibility, utility and implementation of the SF-HDQ in clinical practice. Design Mixed methods study design involving semistructured interviews and questionnaire administration. Participants We recruited adults living with HIV and HIV clinicians in Canada, Ireland and the USA. Methods We electronically administered the SF-HDQ followed by a Sensibility Questionnaire (face and content validity, ease of usage, format) and conducted semistructured interviews to explore the utility and implementation of the SF-HDQ in clinical practice. The threshold for sensibility was a median score of >5/7 (adults living with HIV) and>4/7 (HIV clinicians) for =80% of items. Qualitative interview data were analysed using directed content analysis. Results Median sensibility scores were >5 (adults living with HIV; n=29) and >4 (HIV clinicians; n=16) for 18/19 (95%) items. Interview data indicated that the SF-HDQ represents the health-related challenges of living with HIV and other concurrent health conditions; captures the daily episodic nature of HIV; and is easy to use. Clinical utility included measuring health challenges and change over time, guiding referral to specialists and services, setting goals, facilitating communication and fostering a multidisciplinary approach to care. Considerations for implementation included flexible, person-centred approaches to administration, and communicating scores based on personal preferences. Conclusions The SF-HDQ possesses sensibility and utility for use in clinical settings with adults living with HIV and HIV clinicians in three countries.