CONSTRUCTION AND VALIDATION OF THE CHECKLIST INSTRUMENT (HANDWRITING EXPERTISE) FOR ASSESSING THE COMPLETION OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE (DO)

Abstract

Introduction: This study is justified by its academic, scientific, and social relevance. Its fundamental importance is to investigate the main essential criteria that must be included in a Death Certificate document. It also highlights the importance of validating the checklist, which aims to support the analysis and completion of the information on the Death Certificate. Therefore, this Checklist (Graphical Expertise) is an instrument that will assist in the evaluation of the death certificate completed by the clinical staff of the Professor Alberto Antunes University Hospital (HUPAA), with the aim of verifying incompleteness and errors in its completion. Objective: To develop and validate a checklist for death certificates, as well as to verify incompleteness and errors in its completion. Methodology: This study is a methodological research, developed in two phases: describing the processes of construction and content validation. This study was conducted between May and July 2023. This type of study allows for the reconstruction of networks of thought and concepts that articulate knowledge from a variety of sources to review available scientific literature and chart a course toward the desired objective. The first phase involved a review of the scientific literature for the development stage. The second phase involved content validation of the instrument using the Delphi technique, a method based on the search for consensus through expert judgment on a given problem. Results and Discussion: The instrument was validated through data collection and analysis of the results obtained, with updated scientific evidence. The technical results for each score and for the responses and all criteria (logical sequence of the question, text length, vocabulary, relevance, relevance/functionality/usefulness, clarity, coherence, objectivity, accessibility, attractiveness, adequacy/cohesion, simplicity, feasibility, timeliness, accuracy, and consistency) were adopted in the final comments of the consensus document. The overall evaluations for item format, order, and instrumentation were positive, and the checklist's final result eligibility was 100%. The validation of an instrument such as the Death Certificate checklist, highlighted by the study, represents a notable contribution to improving the completion of essential medical documents. The meticulous evaluation of the results, based on updated scientific evidence, provided a solid foundation for the instrument's validation. The approach adopted to evaluate specific criteria such as logical sequence, clarity, cohesion, relevance, and many others, demonstrates a comprehensive effort to ensure that the checklist not only meets the practical needs of completing Death Certificates but also promotes standardization and accuracy of the recorded information. Conclusion: The validation of the Death Certificate checklist represents an important step toward improving the accuracy and quality of medical records. This tool not only facilitates the correct completion of these documents but also supports the collection of high-quality data, essential for public health and scientific research. Future research should focus on the practical implementation and evaluation of this tool's impact on improving health documentation.