About LINQ
The LINQ is a self-administered tool designed to assess the information needs of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While primarily developed for COPD, it may also be applicable to patients with other chronic lung diseases; however, it is not suitable for individuals with asthma.
Purpose and Clinical Application
LINQ was developed to assist clinicians in identifying patients who would benefit from additional information regarding their condition and self-management strategies. By assessing individual information needs, LINQ helps guide patient education and supports tailored interventions. Additionally, the questionnaire serves as an evaluation tool for measuring the impact of interventions, such as pulmonary rehabilitation programs, and can be used for research and audit purposes.
Availability and Use
The LINQ is freely available for clinical use and non-profit research. It can be downloaded from this website, and healthcare professionals are encouraged to provide feedback on their experiences using the tool. Any insights or data shared with the developers may contribute to ongoing improvements and can be featured on the website alongside details of publications utilizing the LINQ.
Development and Rationale
The concept for the LINQ emerged from focus groups exploring adherence to COPD treatment. These discussions revealed that while patients often demonstrated high adherence to prescribed medications, many lacked essential knowledge about other aspects of self-management due to insufficient information. Recognizing the importance of addressing these gaps, the LINQ was designed to systematically assess information needs, enabling clinicians to better support patient education.
A key principle in the development of the LINQ was ensuring that the questionnaire language aligned with that of patients rather than medical professionals. Research indicates that doctor-patient communication is often hindered by differences in terminology, which can limit understanding and engagement. To address this, the LINQ was developed with direct input from patients, positioning them as experts in shaping the questionnaire’s content and ensuring its relevance to their experiences.
Applications Beyond Clinical Use
While the primary function of the LINQ is as a pre-interview assessment tool, it can also serve as an audit instrument for evaluating the quality of patient education. When used in conjunction with knowledge-based questionnaires, the LINQ provides valuable insights into how effectively patients receive and retain information about their condition. By identifying unmet information needs, the LINQ supports improved communication, patient empowerment, and enhanced disease management strategies.
The LINQ continues to be a valuable resource for healthcare professionals seeking to optimize patient education and self-management in COPD and other chronic lung diseases. Ongoing research and clinical feedback will further refine its application and effectiveness.
LINQ Development Team
The success of LINQ is the result of the dedication and expertise of a diverse team of researchers, clinicians, and collaborators. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping LINQ into a valuable tool for respiratory care. We acknowledge and appreciate the ongoing efforts of everyone involved in advancing patient-centered research and practice.
The LINQ was created by Rupert Jones and Michael Hyland, whose foundational work led to the development of this important tool. Additionally, the efforts of M Dickson-Spillman, D Pouchain, Alfonso Sauro, Vicheva, Susie Wang, and Anna Nager have contributed significantly to its application and continued refinement.