Translation and Pilot Testing of the Guideline Assessment Tools of the ADAPTE Collaboration: Thai Version

Abstract

The ADAPTE Collaboration recommends adapting existing clinical practice guidelines rather than developing new ones, to conserve time and resources. This process requires reliable, contextually appropriate assessment tools. Since the original tools are in English, a rigorous translation into Thai is necessary to ensure cultural equivalence and quality prior to implementation. This methodological pilot study aimed to translate the ADAPTE Collaboration’s guideline assess- ment tools into Thai and test their quality properties. The study followed a two-phase process: (1) Four tools were translated, using an integrated approach based on Jones et al.’s cross-cultural adaptation process and Beaton et al.’s dimensions of cultural equivalence, and (2) Content validity was assessed by six experts, and inter-rater reliability was examined among three reviewers who evaluated four selected clinical practice guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/Ave), and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance.

The results showed that the S-CVI/Ave for the four translated tools-the Currency Survey; the Search and Selection of Evidence Evaluation Sheet; the Consistency between Evidence, its Interpretations, and Recommendations Evaluation Sheet; and the Acceptability/Applicability Evaluation Sheet-were 1.00, 0.90, 0.81, and 1.00, respectively. The Kendall’s coefficients of concordance were 0.70, 0.71, 0.67, and 0.79, respectively (p < .05).

The findings confirm that the translated tools are culturally equivalent to the originals and demonstrate acceptable content validity and inter-rater reliability. The tools can be effectively used by educators and healthcare organizations to assess and adapt existing clinical practice guidelines.