Translation and validation of Head and Neck cancer-specific Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI-HN) in Indian vernacular languages Hindi, Marathi and Bengali.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) covers a group of cancers affecting areas like the mouth, throat, and sinuses. There has been significant progress in HNC treatment over the last few decades, resulting in improved survival rates. However, despite these advancements, individuals diagnosed and treated for HNC continue to deal with a variety of challenging issues, encompassing both psychosocial and physical domains. Unfortunately, these issues often remain unacknowledged and unmet. In this context, the Patient Concern Inventory (PCI) assumes a pivotal role. It serves as a means through which patients can articulate their unique needs, concerns, and preferences to their healthcare providers. It fosters a collaborative patient-clinician dialogue, ultimately aiming to improve shared decision-making and, consequently, patient outcomes. A challenge arises, however, in that the PCI is presently available only in English. Given the linguistic diversity of India, it is imperative to adapt and validate this instrument in Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali, rendering it accessible to a broader patient demographic. Thus, the purpose of our study is to undertake the translation and validation of the PCI for these Indian vernacular languages to make it available to clinicians and the scientific community who work with patients who speak Hindi, Marathi, or Bengali to be used in research and practice.