Preliminary development and pilot testing of the Children and Young Peoples’ Salivary Sampling (ChYPSS) questionnaire

IntroductionTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) using venous access can be distressing for children; salivary sampling, a less invasive alternative, may be as reliable and can facilitate home-based sampling, potentially meaning fewer hospital visits. In the absence of a validated tool to assess child-patients’ views on salivary versus blood sampling following kidney transplantation, we developed/pilot tested a questionnaire with 30 patients; this paper discusses its preliminary development/pilot testing MethodsTwo questionnaires using age appropriate designs (up to 8 years; 9-18 years), involving closed and open-ended questions were administered in two phases during transplant clinics. To avoid intruding in or delaying consultations, choice was offered regarding: version (paper or laptop), timing (before/after clinic appointments), venue, for completionResultsFifteen patients participated in phase 1; twelve found ChYPSS easy to use in terms of layout, wording and response method and completed all items; four suggested some alterations. The ChYPSS was refined before administering to a further 15 patients (phase 2) who found it easy to use. Overall, 29 selected the paper and one the computer version; six indicated a preference for blood sampling in hospital (reasons included: to see the doctor, know everything ok and liked missing school), 15 would prefer home-based salivary sampling (reasons included ‘missing less school’ and ‘less travelling required’), six had no preferences. Patients thought the revised ChYPSS was potentially useful to determine views on blood and salivary sampling.DiscussionFurther research evaluating ChYPSS with a larger sample to allow psychometric testing and factor analysis is needed.