Content validity of the ResCareQA: An Australian residential care quality assessment based on resident outcomes

Abstract

Objective: To determine the face and content validity of the Residential Care Quality Assessment (ResCareQA) developed to fill the current gap in quality assessment tools within the Australian residential aged care system. The ResCareQA contains 24 questions across four domains: Resident Health (seven questions), Personal Care (five questions), Resident Lifestyle (five questions) and Care Environment (seven questions), and allows the easy calculation of 36 clinical indicators for an overall assessment of quality in the residential care setting. Design: Face and content validity were assessed by using modified Delphi process to consult an expert panel of experienced aged care professionals and a consumer representative. Setting: The Delphi questionnaire was distributed via email and all panellists completed it online in their own home or place of work. Subjects: The expert panel constituted six members, all of whom were experienced residential aged care professionals. Main outcome measures: The Delphi survey aimed to reach agreement about the face and content validity of the assessment tool. Results: All agreed the ResCareQA had good face and content validity, although some minor changes were suggested to improve content validity. Conclusion: The ResCareQA provides a comprehensive but easy to administer means of monitoring quality in residential aged care facilities, with the tool usually completed in less than 30 minutes. Example questions are included with this article.