Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of Health Belief Model Scale in diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important health problem that leads to severe complications, is the cause of early death, and is showing an increase in frequency. The development of positive health behaviors is extremely important in the treatment of diabetic patients. There are various models that examine the health behaviors of individuals. One of these is the Health Belief Model. This model is very beneficial in explaining factors that affect patients' compliance with their disease. PURPOSE: This research was planned to measure the validity and reliability of the Health Belief Model Scale in diabetic patients in the Turkish population. DESIGN: Questionnaire Survey. SETTINGS: The research population was all of the diabetic patients (4,125) registered with the Turkish Diabetes Society, Denizli Province, Turkey. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample was composed of 352 patients with Type 2 DM. METHODS: The research data were collected with three tools, a "sociodemographic data form" related to the diabetic patients, the "Health Belief Model Scale in Diabetic Patients," and the "Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale."For validity studies: language validity, content validity, concurrent validity and construct validity were examined. For reliability studies: the tool's internal consistency reliability, Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient, test-retest reliability were examined. RESULTS: The tool's internal consistency reliability subscales' Cronbach alpha coefficient values ranged from 0.73 to 0.86. For the total tool a Cronbach alpha value of 0.89 was found. In the tool's internal consistency reliability total item correlation the three items that were below 0.30 were removed and the 36 items were reduced to 33 items. The tool's test-retest reliability was 0.90. According to factor analysis the tool contains five subscales of perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers and recommended healthy behaviors. CONCLUSION: The Health Belief Model Scale in diabetic patients was determined to be valid and reliable for use in the Turkish population.     

Reliability and validity of the PAD questionnaire: a measure to assess pain-related decline in physical activity.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the reliability and validity of the physical activity decline (PAD) score: a measure for assessing a decline in the level of physical activity in patients with chronic pain. DESIGN: This study was embedded in a prognostic cohort study based on an inception cohort of patients with sub-acute low back pain. PATIENTS: Sixty-two patients who developed chronic pain participated in this study. METHODS: Internal consistency was expressed by Cronbach's alpha and the test-retest reliability was based on an intraclass coefficient (ICC) score. Construct validity was determined using a Pearson correlation coefficient with disability (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale), a change in physical activity level (DeltaBPAQ) as external criteria for convergent validity. The level of physical activity (Physical Activity Rating Scale) was used as external criterion for discriminant validity. RESULTS: The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92) and reliability (ICC = 0.93) of PAD were shown to be good. The construct-validity of the PAD questionnaire appeared to be adequate, with Pearson coefficients of r = 0.45 (p < 0.01; a change in BPAQ), r = 0.55 (p < 0.01; disability) and r = 0.03 (p = 0.74; physical activity). Based on the fact that 38.7% of the patients had the lowest score of 0, the presence of a floor-effect in the PAD score must be considered. CONCLUSION: The reliability and validity of the PAD questionnaire in its original Dutch version appears to be good. Further research is warranted regarding the presence of a floor-effect.     

Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Worry Scale

This article presents the findings on the development and validation of a Chinese version of the Worry Scale (WS), a measure of worry about hypoglycemia. A previously developed 16-item WS was back-translated and applied to 117 Chinese diabetic patients living in Hong Kong. An iterative process of factor and item analyses identified a unidimensional 10-item Chinese WS (WS-10), which accounted for 57.15% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. Strong correlation was demonstrated between the WS-10 and WS with 16 items (r = 0.97, p = 0.000). Comparing the level of worry about hypoglycemia between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients established a contrast-group validity of the WS-10 (p = 0.002). Criterion validity was established by correlating the WS-10 with the respondents' glycosylated hemoglobin (r = -0.29, p = 0.002). Test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation (ICC) was established, ICC(1, 1) = 0.68. As the clinical administration of this scale takes less than 5 min, the Chinese WS-10 offers a useful instrument to identify patients with high levels of worry about hypoglycemia for clinical and education interventions. It also provides public health nurses with a reliable and valid prepost measure of intervention effectiveness. The Chinese WS-10 will facilitate further research about the effects of worry concerning hypoglycemia on self-care behaviors with the Chinese populations.     

Validation of self assessment patient knowledge questionnaire for heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Several studies showed insufficient knowledge and poor compliance to non-pharmacological management in heart failure patients. Only a limited number of validated tools are available to assess their knowledge. The aim of the study was to test our 10-item Patient knowledge questionnaire. METHODS: The Patient knowledge questionnaire was administered to 42 heart failure patients from Heart failure clinic and to 40 heart failure patients receiving usual care. Construct validity (Pearson correlation coefficient), internal consistency (Cronbach alpha), reproducibility (Wilcoxon signed rank test), and reliability (chi-square test and Student's t-test for independent samples) were assessed. RESULTS: Overall score of the Patient knowledge questionnaire had the strongest correlation to the question about regular weighing (r=0.69) and the weakest to the question about presence of heart disease (r=0.33). There was a strong correlation between question about fluid retention and questions assessing regular weighing, (r=0.86), weight of one litre of water (r=0.86), and salt restriction (r=0.57). The Cronbach alpha was 0.74 and could be improved by exclusion of questions about clear explanation (Chronbach alpha 0.75), importance of fruit, soup, and vegetables (Chronbach alpha 0.75), and self adjustment of diuretic (Chronbach alpha 0.81). During reproducibility testing 91% to 98% of questions were answered equally. Patients from Heart failure clinic scored significantly better than patients receiving usual care (7.9 (1.3) vs. 5.7 (2.2), p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patient knowledge questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to measure knowledge of heart failure patients.     

The reliability and validity study of the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis

Objective

Motor imagery (MI) has been recently considered as an adjunct to physical rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is necessary to assess MI abilities and benefits in patients with MS by using a reliable tool. The Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire (KVIQ) was recently developed to assess MI ability in patients with stroke and other disabilities. Considering the different underlying pathologies, the present study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the KVIQ in MS patients.

Method

Fifteen MS patients were assessed using the KVIQ in 2 sessions (5-14days apart) by the same examiner. In the second session, the participants also completed a revised MI questionnaire (MIQ-R) as the gold standard. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were measured to determine test-retest reliability. Spearman''s correlation analysis was performed to assess concurrent validity with the MIQ-R. Furthermore, the internal consistency (Cronbach''s alpha) and factorial structure of the KVIQ were studied.

Results

The test-retest reliability for the KVIQ was good (ICCs: total KVIQ=0.89, visual KVIQ=0.85, and kinesthetic KVIQ=0.93), and the concurrent validity between the KVIQ and MIQ-R was good (r=0.79). The KVIQ had good internal consistency, with high Cronbach''s alpha (alpha=0.84). Factorial analysis showed the bi-factorial structure of the KVIQ, which was explained by visual=57.6% and kinesthetic=32.4%.

Conclusions

The results of the present study revealed that the KVIQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing MI in MS patients.     

Danish version of 'The COPD self-efficacy scale': translation and psychometric properties

The aim of the study was to translate 'The COPD self-efficacy scale' (CSES) into Danish and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Danish version (CSES-DK). CSES enables assessment of self-efficacy in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The scale consists of 34 items, describing situations which may cause dyspnoea in patients with COPD. The CSES was translated into Danish using a standard forward-backward translation procedure. To estimate the reliability, measurements of internal consistency and repeatability were applied. The validity of the Danish version was evaluated by examining the associations between the CSES-DK score and socio-demographic variables (age, gender, education, disease severity and self-rated health). Factor analysis was conducted to compare the internal structure of the Danish version and the American source version. The study included 151 patients with COPD, recruited from three outpatient clinics. Estimates of reliability were in accordance with the original version of CSES (Cronbach's α = 0.97, test-retest r = 0.82, p < 0.001). Significant correlations were obtained between the CSES-DK total score and vocational training and education (r = 0.27, p = 0.001), disease severity (r = -0.27, p = 0.001) and self-rated health (r = -0.41, p < 0.001), indicating construct validity. Five factors were extracted from both versions of CSES. However, in the CSES-DK, only one factor concerns emotions, whereas two factors describing emotions were obtained for the original scale. Furthermore, important discrepancies exist with respect to the direction of the scoring of CSES. In some studies, a high score indicates high self-efficacy, whereas it indicates low self-efficacy in other studies, which complicates the comparison of studies. The Danish version of CSES showed acceptable measurements of reliability and validity. Potential limitations of the scale were identified, and discrepancies exist between the factor structure of the original and Danish version. Consequently, more studies of the factor structure should be conducted on both the original CSES and the translated versions of the instrument.     

Adaptation of the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire to the Turkish population, its reliability and validity

The objective of this study was to adapt the Shoulder Disability Questionnaire (SDQ) for use in Turkey, and to test its reliability and validity. Eighty patients with shoulder pain were included in the study. Pain severity at rest, with motion and during sleeping was assessed by using a numeric pain scale. The shoulder's active and passive range of motion were measured by a goniometer and recorded. The Constant-Murley scale was used for functional assessment. The Turkish version of the SDQ, which was adapted by using guidelines, was completed by the patients. To assess reproducibility, the SDQ was completed by 32 patients who did not improve 1 week later. The reliability of the adapted version was good, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.76) and test-retest reliability (Pearson's correlation coefficient=0.88). The Turkish version of the SDQ was found to have a moderate correlation with pain at rest, with motion and during sleeping. The Turkish version of the SDQ was found to be reliable and valid. The moderate correlation of the questionnaire with clinical parameters including pain shows its validity, but the questionnaire should be tested extensively for detecting changes within time, for use in the follow-up and clinical practice.     

Development and psychometric testing of the Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale

Background If allied health professionals are to begin measuring outcomes routinely, a change in attitudes and behaviour is necessary. However, individuals need to be ready to change and often move through several stages before practice change is observed. Aim To develop and test the psychometric properties of a questionnaire that determines clinicians' readiness to measure outcomes. Methods A study of instrument development, validation and reliability. Ten expert allied health professionals were involved in content validity testing. A further 396 allied health professionals completed the questionnaire to establish content and construct validity, internal consistency and temporal reliability (or stability). Of these 396 allied health professionals, 70 participated in the temporal reliability assessment. Content validity was established using the Content Validity Index (CVI). Construct validity was determined using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and internal consistency was ascertained using Cronbach's alpha. Temporal reliability was confirmed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1). Results A 30‐item questionnaire was developed, reflecting the five stages of change from the Transtheoretical Model of Change, and commonly cited barriers to outcome measurement. Content validity was excellent (CVI = 0.96). Using CFA, a two‐factor model provided best fit. Based on CFA results, four items were dropped resulting in a 26‐item questionnaire (range 26–156). Internal consistency reliability was excellent (α = 0.94). Temporal (stability) reliability ICC (3,1) was very good (r = 0.86, P = 0.0001). Conclusions The final 26‐item questionnaire takes 10 minutes to complete and 5 minutes to score. The Clinician Readiness for Measuring Outcomes Scale provides educators with useful information about clinician readiness and helps identify strategies for affecting behaviour change.     

A psychometric evaluation of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia — from a physiotherapeutic perspective

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish language version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-SV) questionnaire. All in all, 102 patients suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP) and 60 subjects who took part in aerobics were included in the study. The test of reliability included stability over time and internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total sum of the TSK-SV was 0.91. The Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient for the total sum of the instrument was r = 0.91. Internal consistency assessed with Cronbach's alpha was 0.81 (n = 75). The test of validity included face and content validity assessed by a panel of experts, while construct validity was measured by an exploratory factor analysis and the known groups’ method. The TSK-SV was considered to have face and content validity. The factor analysis indicated a five-factor solution, although the conclusion was formulated in favor of the use of the total score. The known groups' method revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (patients and aerobics), which supports the instrument's construct validity. We concluded that TSK-SV is reliable for use on patients suffering from chronic low back pain. The validity of the instrument needs to be further tested on larger populations.     

Evaluating the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the german short musculoskeletal function assessment questionnaire, SMFA-D, in inpatient rehabilitation of patients with conservative treatment for hip osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Modern patient based outcome measures like the SMFA-D (German Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Questionnaire) are able to detect the impairment and functional capacity of patients with musculoskeletal extremity disorders. The SMFA-D was successfully evaluated in several cohorts treated operatively for osteoarthritis of the knee and hip, rotator cuff tears and rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the SMFA-D in patients with conservative treatment for hip osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 69 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip were enrolled in a prospective controlled clinical trial. All patients completed the SMFA-D, SF-36, WOMAC, FFbH-OA. A standardized test of walking speed and the functional status of the patient as judged by the physician were recorded. Statistical analysis were done for the following: re-test reliability (ICC), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), validity and responsiveness. RESULTS: Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was alpha = 0.89 and alpha = 0.97 for the SMFA-D scales. The retest reliability (ICC, unjust, mixed effect) was 0.91 (p < 0.001) for the function index and 0.73 (p < 0.001) for the bother index. Both indices correlated significantly with the FFbH-OA (r = 0.66 to r = 0.84), the WOMAC (r = 0.55 to r = 0.86) and the scales of the SF-36 (r = - 0.34 to r = - 0.85) on all three time points, which supports construct validity. There was mainly a significant correlation between the SMFA-D scales and the functional status of the patient (r = 0.21 to r = 0.44), pain reported by the patient (r = 0.43 to = 0.54) and the self selected walking speed (r = 0.28 to r = 0.51), which supports external validity. We were able to differentiate operatively and conservatively treated patients (discriminant construct validity). At the end of the rehabilitation program we were able to demonstrate small to medium treatment effects in SMFA-D and SF-36. The WOMAC and FFbH-OA were not able to demonstrate these treatment effects. CONCLUSION: Even in patients with conservative treatment of hip osteoarthritis the SMFA-D represents a reliable, valid and responsive measure. The use of the SMFA-D can be recommended as a patient based outcome measure.     

超声评分对膝骨性关节炎患者病变特点的评估价值

目的 探讨超声评分对膝骨性关节炎患者病情严重度的诊断价值。方法 回顾性收集我院收治的膝骨性关节炎患者52例,同期收集50例健康成人,分析超声评分与膝骨性关节炎患者病情严重度的相关性。结果 膝骨性关节炎患者超声评分显著高于健康成人(6.93±1.76 vs. 1.73±0.56,P=0.000)。膝骨性关节炎患者超声评分与髌上囊液体深度、髌下囊液体深度、关节腔液体深度、滑膜厚度显著正相关(r=0.265、0.216、0.310和0.255,P=0.004、0.035、0.000和0.012),与Lyshsolm显著负相关(r=-0.381,P=0.000)。与增生滑膜内血管阴性的患者相比,增生滑膜内血管阳性的患者超声评分显著增加(7.43±1.61 vs. 5.58±1.42, P=0.000)。结论 超声评分与膝骨性关节炎患者病情严重度相关。     

Validity and reliability of the Italian Constipation Assessment Scale

Constipation is a common problem among oncology patients and requires careful assessment. Use of validated instruments is important to improving its management. The aim of this study was to validate the Italian translation of the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS). To test construct validity, patients and apparently healthy adults were asked to complete the CAS. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the median CAS of the patient group and that of the apparently healthy group. Test-retest reliability was very high (r=0.96; P=0.0001), and the internal consistency as assessed by Cronbach's alpha was 0.768. These findings suggest that the Italian CAS can be used in clinical practice to document the presence and severity of constipation in cancer patients. However, further studies should be conducted in a larger sample of patients to confirm the results.     

A1cNOW＋TM糖化血红蛋白测试卡的准确性及影响因素分析

目的比较高效液相色谱（high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC）法、A1cNOW＋TM糖化血红蛋白测试卡测定糖化血红蛋白（glycosylated hemoglobin,HbA1c）的一致性,探讨红细胞压积（hematocrit,HCT）及降糖药物对A1cNOW＋TM测试卡准确性的影响。方法确诊糖尿病患者224例,分别应用HPLC法、A1cNOW＋TM测试卡测定HbA1c,Spearman相关分析评价2种方法检测结果的一致性,分析HCT、应用降糖药物对2种检测方法相关性的影响。结果 224例患者中24例A1cNOW＋TM测试卡显示HbA1c〉13%或无法测定而未获得具体值者退出研究,余200例患者HPLC、A1cNOW＋TM检测HbA1c结果比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;HCT〈0.35时,2种方法检测结果无相关性（r=0.365,P=0.165）;HCT≥0.35~0.40时,2种方法检测结果相关性强（r=0.942,P=0.000）;应用2种方法检测未应用降糖药物者和应用降糖药物者HbA1c水平呈正相关性（r=0.914,P=0.000;r=0.927,P=0.000）。结论A1cNOW＋TM测试卡检测HbA1c的准确性和可靠性与＂金标准＂HPLC法相同,但该方法应用有一定局限性,在HbA1c值〉13%、HCT〈0.35等情况下,应采用HPLC法测定HbA1c值。     

Assessing Electronic Note Quality Using the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI-9)

Objective

To refine the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI) and test the validity and reliability of the 9-item version (PDQI-9).

Methods

Three sets each of admission notes, progress notes and discharge summaries were evaluated by two groups of physicians using the PDQI-9 and an overall general assessment: one gold standard group consisting of program or assistant program directors (n = 7), and the other of attending physicians or chief residents (n = 24). The main measures were criterion-related validity (correlation coefficients between Total PDQI-9 scores and 1-item General Impression scores for each note), discriminant validity (comparison of PDQI-9 scores on notes rated as best and worst using 1-item General Impression score), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha), and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)).

Results

The results were criterion-related validity (r = –0.678 to 0.856), discriminant validity (best versus worst note, t = 9.3, p = 0.003), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alphas = 0.87–0.94), and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.83, CI = 0.72–0.91).

Conclusion

The results support the criterion-related and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, and inter-rater reliability of the PDQI-9 for rating the quality of electronic physician notes. Tools for assessing note redundancy are required to complement use of PDQI-9. Trials of the PDQI-9 at other institutions, of different size, using different EHRs, and incorporating additional physician specialties and notes of other healthcare providers are needed to confirm its generalizability.     

Development of a measure of learned helplessness

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure of learned helplessness. Based on a review of the literature, 50 items were developed for inclusion in the proposed Learned Helplessness Scale (LHS). On the basis of independent reviews by three experts, 20 items were selected for inclusion in the LHS. An individual's response to each item was graded, using a Likert scale. A standardized alpha reliability coefficient of .85 was obtained for a sample of 241 healthy adults. There was a positive correlation between the LHS scores and Beck's Hopelessness Scale (HS) scores (r = .252) and a negative correlation between the LHS scores and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (SES) scores (r = -.622). These correlations were in the direction postulated by various theorists. A Varimax-rotated factor analysis of the LHS data yielded five factors. Three of these factors tapped content relevant to the attributional styles of learned helplessness. Clinical data were also obtained on samples of oncology, hemodialysis, and spinal cord patients. Because the alpha reliability coefficients of the LHS and the Pearson product moment correlation coefficients between the LHS and the HS and the LHS and the SES were in the same direction, the instrument is believed to have adequate internal consistency.     

Assessment of the validity and reliability of the University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital Pain scale for Preverbal and Nonverbal Children

PURPOSE: This study tested the reliability and validity of a pain scale that was developed at University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital for the preverbal child (less than 3 years old) and the nonverbal child (children who cognitively were not able to communicate a pain rating on traditional pain scales). METHOD: Content validity was established by expert review. Construct validity was demonstrated by having the nurse rate the child's pain before and after analgesic and during a procedure. Inter-rater reliability was achieved by two nurses simultaneously and independently rating the child's pain. Criterion validity was determined by comparing ratings with those obtained on the Wong-Baker Faces scale. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. FINDINGS: Seventy-four patients provided data for 124 observation times. At 58 of the observation times, two nurses independently used the newly developed University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital (UWCH) scale, resulting in 182 pain ratings. Internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.93. Mean pain scores were significantly higher prior to pain medication administration and during procedures than following analgesic administration. Inter-rater reliability was 0.92. Correlation of the new scale with the Wong-Baker Faces Scale was r = .62. CONCLUSIONS: Initial testing of the construct validity, internal reliability, and internal consistency of the UWCH Pain Scale for Preverbal and Nonverbal Children were acceptable. Parents provided ratings for most of the faces scale, which could account for the low correlation in the construct validity testing.     

Validity and reliability of the Turkish Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the comprehensibility, internal consistency, patient-physician reliability, test-retest reliability, and validity of Turkish version of Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire in patients with headache. BACKGROUND: MIDAS questionnaire has been developed by Stewart et al and shown to be reliable and valid to determine the degree of disability caused by migraine. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was designed as a national multicenter study to demonstrate the reliability and validity of Turkish version of MIDAS questionnaire. Patients applying to 17 Neurology Clinics in Turkey were evaluated at the baseline (visit 1), week 4 (visit 2), and week 12 (visit 3) visits in terms of disease severity and comprehensibility, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity of MIDAS. Since the severity of the disease has been found to change significantly at visit 2 compared to visit 1, test-retest reliability was assessed using the MIDAS scores of a subgroup of patients whose disease severity remained unchanged (up to +/-3 days difference in the number of days with headache between visits 1 and 2). RESULTS: A total of 306 patients (86.2% female, mean age: 35.0 +/- 9.8 years) were enrolled into the study. A total of 65.7%, 77.5%, 82.0% of patients reported that "they had fully understood the MIDAS questionnaire" in visits 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A highly positive correlation was found between physician and patient and the applied total MIDAS scores in all three visits (Spearman correlation coefficients were R= 0.87, 0.83, and 0.90, respectively, P <.001). Internal consistency of MIDAS was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and was found at acceptable (>0.7) or excellent (>0.8) levels in both patient and physician applied MIDAS scores, respectively. Total MIDAS score showed good test-retest reliability (R= 0.68). Both the number of days with headache and the total MIDAS scores were positively correlated at all visits with correlation coefficients between 0.47 and 0.63. There was also a moderate degree of correlation (R= 0.54) between the total MIDAS score at week 12 and the number of days with headache at visit 2 + visit 3, which quantify headache-related disability over a 3-month period similar to MIDAS questionnaire. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that the Turkish translation is equivalent to the English version of MIDAS in terms of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity. Physicians can reliably use the Turkish translation of the MIDAS questionnaire in defining the severity of illness and its treatment strategy when applied as a self-administered report by migraine patients themselves.     

Development of an instrument measuring family care

This study developed and evaluated an instrument to measure the quality of care given by family members to a patient in the home. The Family Care Measure consisted of 11 items, each of which was rated on a visual analogue scale. Fifteen registered nurses rated the care given by families of 72 eligible patients for whom the nurses had provided nursing care. Estimation of the reliability resulted in a high internal consistency. With deletion of five items from the measure, the internal consistency reliability resulted in a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .93. The six-item instrument correlated moderately, as predicted, with a scale of family coping (r = .76). With acceptable reliability and evidence of construct validity, this measure may be used in research studies, but further testing to assess its usefulness in clinical situations is recommended.     

The health care relationship (HCR) trust scale: development and psychometric evaluation

A sequential multi-method approach using focus groups, individual interviews, and quantitative instrument development procedures was used to develop and evaluate a scale to measure patient trust in health care providers (HCPs). The resulting 15-item Health Care Relationship (HCR) Trust Scale was tested for internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity. The Cronbach alphas were .92 (time 1) and .95 (time 2), respectively. Test-retest reliability was .59 (p < .01). The HCR Trust Scale did not correlate with the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (r = .20, p = .07) or the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine scale (r = -.21, p = .13). Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation revealed a three-factor solution that explained 69% of the estimated common variance in the HCR trust scale. Cronbach alphas for the 3 factors ranged from .81 to .89. Findings of this study support the use of the HCR Trust Scale for measuring trust in various HCPs by diverse patient populations. More work is needed to test the usefulness of the scale with a greater number of patients and in other chronic illness populations.