In response to increasing interest in cross-cultural issues, the International Society for Quality of Life Research (ISOQoL) created a special interest group in the field of translation and cultural adaptation (TCA-SIG) in 2004.
The aims of the group are (1) to identify and advance research in the fields of translation and cultural adaptation of PRO measures and (2) to provide an evidence database on translation and cultural adaptation of PROs.
The 25 member TCA-SIG counts 3 subgroups pursuing individual objectives to meet the overall aims:

• the Cross-Cultural Issues subgroup addresses issues related to the access of copyrighted instruments, the translation of PROs and their use in e-format,
• the Translation Methodology subgroup pursues a research agenda for the development of methodologies in the field of translation and cross-cultural research,
• the PRO Translation Certification subgroup aims at establishing an international certification programme for PRO translations.

Over the last 5 years, the first subgroup has put together a list of recommendations for developers and users of PRO measures based on the review of translation difficulties and copyright issues. Subgroup 2 has completed a first analysis to identify the crucial aspects in the standard PRO translation methodology based on the review of errors avoided during each translation step. Subgroup 3 is involved in establishing a rationale for the need for international certification of PRO
translations. Results of findings have consecutively been presented during ISOQoL’s annual meetings. This year’s efforts will be focused on the publication of these as well as the organization of the group’s annual meeting during the upcoming ISOQoL conference.

If you wish to find out more about our activities, please contact Iliana Petkova This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or meet us during ISOQoL’s conference in London between the 27th and the 30th of October.