Manual for translation and cultural adaptation of the Minimal Eating Observation and Nutrition Form – Version II (MEONF-II)

This report describes the procedure for translation and cultural

adaptation of the Minimal Eating Observation and Nutrition Form –

Version II (MEONF-II) from Swedish or U.K. English for use in other

languages and countries, including adaptations from Swedish and

U.K. English to other Swedish (e.g., Finland) and English speaking

regions (e.g., United States, Canada, Australia), respectively. The

prescribed methodology is based on the dual-panel approach for

patient-reported rating scales, but modified for clinical assessment

tools used by health care professionals. The approach emphasises the

importance of achieving conceptual rather than linguistic equivalence,

as well as ease and immediacy of the translation. The procedure

comprises three main steps: (1) A panel of 3-7 bilingual health care

professionals work together to produce a first draft target language

version; (2) Review the first draft target language version by a second

panel of 3-7 monolingual nurses and/or final year student nurses

native in the target language; (3) Clinical field-testing of the new

target language version by 15-30 hospital ward nurses/final year

student nurses using the MEONF-II with at least five patients each to

evaluate its user-friendliness and appropriateness. Following a written

report including all major discussions and difficulties experienced by

the panels and during field-testing, there is a need for evidence of the

equivalence of the translated MEONF-II relative to the original

version, before it can be recommended for general implementation

into clinical practice. This final step is not covered in any detail here,

but only outlined in summary. The procedures described here provide

an easy to follow step-by-step practically oriented manual to facilitate

the production of high quality translations and adaptations of the

MEONF-II into new linguistic and cultural settings. This will ease the

process for nurses and others who are interested in implementing the

MEONF-II as a means of improving nutritional care for hospital

inpatients.