Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) drug-related problem classification version 9.00: German translation and validation

Background The drug-related problem classification system of the Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe (PCNE) is well established and continuously updated. A translated version of the drug-related problem classification system can facilitate research and implementation of clinical pharmacy services in the corresponding countries. Aim This study aimed to translate and validate the current version 9.00 into German language. Method The forward–backward translation method was used to translate the English version 9.00 into German language. Validation was done with 20 patient cases. Consistency was calculated in percentage and compared to international results. Results Translation of the classification system yielded in a German version. Validation was done with 32 pharmacists and 20 patient cases. In the five primary domains, average consistencies of 77.3% (problem), 57.8% (cause), 57.4% (intervention), 74.5% (acceptance) and 74.9% (status) were achieved. Ambiguities were found in some patient cases, as raters came to differing but plausible codes. Conclusions This study provides a German translation of the PCNE classification for drug related problems of approximately similar consistency as the international version. It hence can be considered to classify drug-related problems in German speaking countries. Patient cases need to be more specific in future validations, feasibility and layout of the classification system need to improve.