Purpose: This study's purpose was to develop a better understanding of the experiences of parents of children with achondroplasia and to provide qualitative evidence to support the development of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of parent impacts.
Methods: Concept elicitation (CE) individual/focus group interviews were conducted with parents of children aged 2 to < 12 years with achondroplasia in the United States and Spain. The qualitative analysis informed the PRO measure development. Cognitive debriefing (CD) interviews were conducted to ensure parent understanding and item relevance.
Results: Thirty-six parents participated in individual/focus group CE interviews. The analysis identified parent impacts in four domains, including caretaking responsibilities, emotional well-being, family, and work, and results informed the development of the Achondroplasia Parent Experience Measure (APEM). Caretaking responsibilities included managing child's medical care (92%), helping child with self-care (67%), advocating for child (64%), assisting child (56%), and observing/monitoring child (e.g., to ensure safety; 47%). Impacts on parents' emotional well-being included worry about the future (75%), worry about child's physical health (67%), safety concerns (50%), feeling stressed/overwhelmed (44%), and worry about child's social relationships (42%). Impacts on family and work included family strain (56%), limiting/adapting family activities (42%), and missed work time (50%). CD interviews with an additional 16 parents of children with achondroplasia confirmed understanding and item relevance.
Conclusion: The results improve our understanding of the experiences of parents of children with achondroplasia and provide qualitative evidence to support the content validity of the APEM. A psychometric study is needed to validate the measure.
Keywords: Achondroplasia; Caregivers; Emotional well-being; Patient-reported outcome measures; Quality of life; Work.