Development of a Questionnaire for Assessing the Quality of Treatment of Gunshot Injuries of the Shoulder Girdle

Abstract

Objective. This study aims to revise, simplify, and adapt international questionnaires for assessing upper limb function after gunshot injuries of the shoulder girdle, and to develop a tool for standardized evaluation of treatment quality.

Methods. An analysis of international upper limb function questionnaires was performed, followed by a critical review of their items. The content of the questionnaires was compared considering the patterns of sports and daily activities typical for the Ukrainian population. Based on the findings, a modified questionnaire was developed and adapted to the national context.

Results. The developed tool provides a unified and comprehensible mechanism for evaluating functional outcomes of treatment for gunshot injuries of the shoulder girdle. The pilot study included 20 patients who were offered both the adapted questionnaire and international analogues. Each participant completed four questionnaires: three international instruments and the adapted version. After score calculation and result interpretation according to the grading system of each questionnaire, all patients were assigned to the same outcome category based on their responses across all four scales. All respondents highlighted the advantages of the adapted version, including shorter completion time, clearer wording, and elimination of difficulties in interpreting certain questions.

Conclusions. The proposed adapted questionnaire may be recommended as an effective, valid, and user-friendly tool for standardized assessment of surgical treatment outcomes in patients with gunshot injuries of the shoulder girdle. Its application enhances the objectivity of evaluation and improves the consistency of clinical outcome reporting in this patient population.