Evidence of content validity on the mental health care needs scale

Abstract

Abstract Background The gap in care for psychological distress has been one of the greatest challenges for health systems. Stepped care models represent attempts to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of decisions about resource allocation in therapy. In Brazil, there are no tools that support this process. The Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein executes the project entitled PlanificaSUS to organize the health care network and strengthen PHC. We aimed to develop and search for evidence of Content validity on the Mental Health Care Needs Stratification Scale. Methods The latent variable is the need for mental health care. The 130 items considered the literature and 73 experts' opinion. The items were categorized into six dimensions referred by users (social, autonomy, functionality, interpersonal relationship, spirituality, and clinical history) and a dimension evaluated by the professional (clinic). The invitation was made by the snowball method. Content validity was based on clarity, relevance, and semantics, and calculated by Content Validity Ratio (CVR), considering a critical CVR value> 0.11. This study was approved by the research ethics committee. Results A total of 73 professionals including health service professionals, teachers, and psychometrists, from all regions of Brazil participated, most of them female (73%), the average age was 40 years old, most with specialization (47%). Most were nurses (36.8%), psychologists (15.8%), PHC doctors (10.5%), social workers (9.2%), with more than 10 years of experience in the service (28.9%). At the end of the content validation, the scale presented 43 items with CVR between 0.11 and 0.25. Conclusions There is evidence of content validity of the scale, and it will supports professionals in making decisions about which is the right therapy, at the right time, for the right patient. Key messages The scale will be a powerful tool for the coordination of care between Primary Health Care and Mental Health specialized services. For practice use, it still is necessary to validate the internal structure.