However, until now, it has not been available in Spanish. More than 65 million people in the U.S. identify as Hispanic, and 68% speak a language other than English at home, showing the need for validated Spanish language instruments for patients in the U.S. and Spanish speaking individuals worldwide.
This study presents the first linguistic validation of the SSIPI in Spanish. We followed a rigorous and standardized methodology, including forward and back translation, reconciliation, harmonization, and cognitive interviews across three Spanish-speaking populations in Colombia, the United States, and Spain. This multicenter approach ensured that linguistic and cultural differences were considered, making the survey applicable to a broad range of Spanish-speaking patients.
Translating, adapting, and validating survey instruments to reflect cultural and linguistic differences in medical communication is essential to compare patients' outcomes. Patient feedback showed that while most of the survey was easy to understand, some questions required modifications for better clarity. These adjustments allowed us to create a final Spanish version of the SSIPI that is clear and easy to use.
Beyond this study, our work highlights the importance of standardized linguistic validation processes for medical surveys. Simply translating a tool is not enough. It must be intuitive, culturally relevant, and accurately reflect patient experiences to ensure meaningful data collection. The final Spanish version of the SSIPI is a significant step forward in improving equitable access to validated patient-reported outcome measures in sexual medicine, ultimately contributing to better patient care for Spanish speaking individuals undergoing IPP surgery.
Written by:
- Bernardita M. Ljubetic, MD, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Urology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Jose Miguel Flores, MD, MHA, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Urology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Salter, C. A., Bach, P. V., Jenkins, L., Bennett, N., Yafi, F. A., El Khatib, F., Schofield, E., Benfante, N., Althof, S. E., Nelson, C. J., & Mulhall, J. P. (2021). Development and Validation of the Satisfaction Survey for Inflatable Penile Implant (SSIPI). The journal of sexual medicine, 18(9), 1641–1651.
- U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce. (2023). Selected Population Profile in the United States. American Community Survey, ACS 1-Year Estimates Selected Population Profiles, Table S0201.