Abstract

SCHONHAUT B., Luisa et al. Comparison of Traditional Psychomotor Development Evaluation versus a Self-Administered Test?. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2012, vol.51, n.2, pp.126-133. ISSN 1024-0675.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the applicability of a self-administered questionnaire in the screening of psychomotor development (PD) in a primary care setting (PC). For that purpose, the degree of concordance between the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and a Psychomotor Development Evaluation Scale (Escala de Evaluación del Desarrollo Psicomotor-EEDP) currently utilized in PC was tested. In addition, perceptions and value judgment by professionals who participated in the study were explored. Methodology: This semi-quantitative study was performed between November 2008 and December 2009 in two PC centers of the Metropolitan Area of Chile on full-term newborns of the well-baby clinic. At age 8 and 18 months, parents or primary caretakers were asked to fill out the ASQ, and a PC professional completed the EEDP. Correlation and concordance between both tests was measured. Interviews and mini-focus groups were conducted with the participating professionals. Results: Three hundred and thirty newborns were recruited in the study. PD deficits were found on 8.79% of patients through the use of EEDP and in 12.73% through the use of ASQ (p = 0,05). Correlation between both evaluations was acceptable (r 0,5) as was concordance in deficit detection (kappa 0.576). The qualitative analysis showed appreciation of ASQ as a measuring tool as well as promoting awareness of PD. Staff of the PC settings utilized various strategies to overcome deficiencies of a self-administered test in populations of higher socio-educational and cultural risk. Conclusions: ASQ picked up significantly more PM deficits than EEDP, while correlation and concordance indices between both tests were adequate. Considering the subjective advantages expressed by staff in favor of ASQ, it is proposed that those PC centers that wish to implement the ASQ do so by progressively incorporating parents and caretakers into the observation of their children's development.

Keywords : Screening; psicomotor development; Ages and Stages Questionnaires.

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