Validity Of Items Research Articles

Developing a survey to measure nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, influences, and willingness to be involved in Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD): a mixed method modified e-Delphi study

BackgroundMedical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) was legalized in Canada in 2016. Canada’s legislation is the first to permit Nurse Practitioners (NP) to serve as independent MAiD assessors and providers. Registered Nurses’ (RN) also have important roles in MAiD that include MAiD care coordination; client and family teaching and support, MAiD procedural quality; healthcare provider and public education; and bereavement care for family. Nurses have a right under the law to conscientious objection to participating in MAiD. Therefore, it is essential to prepare nurses in their entry-level education for the practice implications and moral complexities inherent in this practice. Knowing what nursing students think about MAiD is a critical first step. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a survey to measure nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, influences, and willingness to be involved in MAiD in the Canadian context.MethodsThe design was a mixed-method, modified e-Delphi method that entailed item generation from the literature, item refinement through a 2 round survey of an expert faculty panel, and item validation through a cognitive focus group interview with nursing students. The settings were a University located in an urban area and a College located in a rural area in Western Canada.ResultsDuring phase 1, a 56-item survey was developed from existing literature that included demographic items and items designed to measure experience with death and dying (including MAiD), education and preparation, attitudes and beliefs, influences on those beliefs, and anticipated future involvement. During phase 2, an expert faculty panel reviewed, modified, and prioritized the items yielding 51 items. During phase 3, a sample of nursing students further evaluated and modified the language in the survey to aid readability and comprehension. The final survey consists of 45 items including 4 case studies.DiscussionSystematic evaluation of knowledge-to-date coupled with stakeholder perspectives supports robust survey design. This study yielded a survey to assess nursing students’ attitudes toward MAiD in a Canadian context.ConclusionThe survey is appropriate for use in education and research to measure knowledge and attitudes about MAiD among nurse trainees and can be a helpful step in preparing nursing students for entry-level practice.

Place attachment theory and virtual reality: the case of a rural tourism destination

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore from a place attachment (PA) theory perspective the extent to which and how, a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) experience enhances tourists’ attachment level on-site at a rural destination.Design/methodology/approachThis study applied an exploratory mixed method approach. Respondents were tourists visiting the Lake District National Park who were asked to try a VR experience. In Study 1, interviews were conducted to explore new themes and to develop an enhanced PA framework in VR. Study 1 confirmed existing variables from the literature and highlighted new variables (themes) to be included in the new framework on how PA is formed. In Study 2, surveys were conducted, and the proposed framework analyzed using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). To fully understand how VR had an impact on enhancing PA, the moderating effect of tourists’ pre-existing PA was considered.FindingsThe findings revealed “Accessibility”, “Memories” and “Increased Place Knowledge” as new themes (variables) and confirmed that these and established variables “Aesthetics” and “Presence” enhance PA, leading to increased loyalty. Significant moderating effects of existing PA were found.Practical implicationsVR serves as a complementary and substitutional tool for tourism. Tailored VR experiences for diverse tourist needs may enhance destination marketing and competitiveness. For tourists with low PA, destinations should focus on promoting activities and highlights to enhance engagement and the experiential understanding of the destination. For tourists with high PA, VR experiences should focus on providing a comprehensive view of the destination and unveiling new places. In both cases, the VR experience leads to deeper engagement with the destination and an increase in PA.Originality/valueResearch on the impact of VR on tourists’ PA is limited. To address this gap, this study’s theoretical contribution lies in developing and testing a PA framework within a VR and tourism context. This also includes the validation of new measurement items developed in relation to the new themes.

The Canadian Birth Place Study: Development, Validation and Administration of a Questionnaire for Multi-disciplinary Maternity Care Providers

The debate between professional groups in Canada about the advisability of planned home birth continues. The Canadian Birth Place Study examines Canadian registered midwives', family physicians', and obstetricians' experiences with and attitudes towards planned home birth, as well as factors associated with in those attitudes. Evidence based strategies were applied to the development, validity testing, and implementation of a cross-sectional questionnaire to a multi-disciplinary sample of maternity care providers.The survey questions and attitude scale items were adapted from a previously validated questionnaire and reviewed by two discipline-specific expert panels. Experts provided qualitative comments and rated each socio-demographic and attitude item on three 4-point Likert-type scales to evaluate importance, clarity, and relevance. Aggregated scores (content validity indices) demonstrated strong content validity of items. The questionnaire construction and administration plan incorporated best practices for increasing response rates among healthcare providers, as well as participation from multiple perspectives on a controversial topic across study populations.

Developing a Toolkit to Measure the Impact of Programme Assessment Result on Improving the Teaching Quality

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable toolkit to measure the impact of external assessment results and improve teaching activities in engineering majors at Vietnamese universities. The study comprised two stages: development and testing of the questionaire. In addition to desk research, expert interviews were conducted with six education quality assurance specialists to assess the content and construct validity of a several items intended to gauge the impact of external assessment results on improving teaching activities in the questionaire. Simultaneously, SPSS 26.0 software was employed to ensure the validity and reliability of the scale following the testing phase involving sample 439 lecturers teaching engineering majors. The research findings indicated that Cronbach's alpha coefficients were above 0.7, and 38 out of 40 questions exhibited a total variable correlation of over 0.03, thereby ensuring the reliability of the scale. Furthermore, the development of this scale is poised to furnish valuable data for improving teaching activities at the higher education institutions.

The rise of Parkinson's disease is a global challenge, but efforts to tackle this must begin at a national level: a protocol for national digital screening and "eat, move, sleep" lifestyle interventions to prevent or slow the rise of non-communicable diseases in Thailand.

The rising prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) globally presents a significant public health challenge for national healthcare systems, particularly in low-to-middle income countries, such as Thailand, which may have insufficient resources to meet these escalating healthcare needs. There are also many undiagnosed cases of early-stage PD, a period when therapeutic interventions would have the most value and least cost. The traditional "passive" approach, whereby clinicians wait for patients with symptomatic PD to seek treatment, is inadequate. Proactive, early identification of PD will allow timely therapeutic interventions, and digital health technologies can be scaled up in the identification and early diagnosis of cases. The Parkinson's disease risk survey (TCTR20231025005) aims to evaluate a digital population screening platform to identify undiagnosed PD cases in the Thai population. Recognizing the long prodromal phase of PD, the target demographic for screening is people aged ≥ 40 years, approximately 20 years before the usual emergence of motor symptoms. Thailand has a highly rated healthcare system with an established universal healthcare program for citizens, making it ideal for deploying a national screening program using digital technology. Designed by a multidisciplinary group of PD experts, the digital platform comprises a 20-item questionnaire about PD symptoms along with objective tests of eight digital markers: voice vowel, voice sentences, resting and postural tremor, alternate finger tapping, a "pinch-to-size" test, gait and balance, with performance recorded using a mobile application and smartphone's sensors. Machine learning tools use the collected data to identify subjects at risk of developing, or with early signs of, PD. This article describes the selection and validation of questionnaire items and digital markers, with results showing the chosen parameters and data analysis methods to be robust, reliable, and reproducible. This digital platform could serve as a model for similar screening strategies for other non-communicable diseases in Thailand.

The Intuitive Eating Scale-3: Development and psychometric evaluation

Intuitive eating has been found to protect against disordered eating and preserve well-being. Yet, there are methodological (length), conceptual (inconsideration of medical, value-based, and access-related reasons for food consumption), and psychometric (item wording) concerns with its most common measure, the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2). To address these concerns, we developed the IES-3 and investigated its psychometric properties with U.S. community adults. Across three online studies, we evaluated the IES-3's factorial validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA; Study 1; N = 957; Mage = 36.30), as well as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), bifactor-CFA, and bifactor-ESEM (Study 2; N = 1152; Mage = 40.95), and cross-validated the optimal model (Study 3; N = 884; Mage = 38.54). We examined measurement invariance across samples and time, differential item functioning (age, body mass index [BMI], gender), composite reliability, and validity. Study 1 revealed a 12-item, 4-factor structure (unconditional permission to eat, eating for physical reasons, reliance on hunger and satiety cues, body-food choice congruence). In Study 2, a bifactor-ESEM model with a global intuitive eating factor and four specific factors best fit the data, which was temporally stable across three weeks. This model also had good fit in Study 3 and, across Studies 2 and 3, and was fully invariant and lacked measurement bias in terms of age, gender, and BMI. Associations between latent IES-3 factors and age, gender, and BMI were invariant across Studies 2 and 3. Composite reliability and validity (relationships with disordered eating, embodiment, body image, well-being, and distress; negligible relationship with impression management) of the retained model were also supported. The 12-item IES-3 demonstrates strong psychometric properties in U.S. community adults. Research is now needed using the IES-3 in other cultural contexts and social identity groups.

Clinical validation of automated depth camera-based measurement of the Fugl-Meyer assessment for upper extremity

Objective Depth camera-based measurement has demonstrated efficacy in automated assessment of upper limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment for paralysis rehabilitation. However, there is a lack of adequately sized studies to provide clinical support. Thus, we developed an automated system utilizing depth camera and machine learning, and assessed its feasibility and validity in a clinical setting. Design Validation and feasibility study of a measurement instrument based on single cross-sectional data. Setting Rehabilitation unit in a general hospital Participants Ninety-five patients with hemiparesis admitted for inpatient rehabilitation unit (2021–2023). Main measures Scores for each item, excluding those related to reflexes, were computed utilizing machine learning models trained on participant videos and readouts from force test devices, while the remaining reflex scores were derived through regression algorithms. Concurrent criterion validity was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, percent agreement and Cohen's Kappa coefficient for ordinal scores of individual items, as well as correlations and intraclass correlation coefficients for total scores. Video-based manual assessment was also conducted and compared to the automated tools. Result The majority of patients completed the assessment without therapist intervention. The automated scoring models demonstrated superior validity compared to video-based manual assessment across most items. The total scores derived from the automated assessment exhibited a high coefficient of 0.960. However, the validity of force test items utilizing force sensing resistors was relatively low. Conclusion The integration of depth camera technology and machine learning models for automated Fugl-Meyer Assessment demonstrated acceptable validity and feasibility, suggesting its potential as a valuable tool in rehabilitation assessment.

Reliability and Validity of Diabetes Nutrition Self-Efficacy and Behavior Measures for the “What Can I Eat” Diabetes Nutrition Education Program for American Indian and Alaska Native Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

BackgroundAmerican Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people have high rates of diabetes and limited access to nutrition education. The “What Can I Eat? Healthy Choices for People With Type 2 Diabetes” (WCIE) diabetes nutrition education program was culturally adapted for AI/AN adults. ObjectiveThis analysis was designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of items developed to measure diabetes nutrition self-efficacy (ie, confidence one can engage in specific behaviors) and diabetes nutrition behavior among participants in the WCIE program for AI/AN adults. DesignThis study was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the WCIE program for AI/AN adults. Baseline data were used to assess the reliability and validity of the self-efficacy and behavior items, which were collected via survey. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the intervention was conducted via Zoom (Zoom Video Communications), and both survey and clinical data were collected at home by participants. Participants/settingThe study was conducted from January to December 2021 with 5 AI/AN-serving health care programs in Oklahoma, Illinois, North Carolina, California, and New York. AI/AN adults with type 2 diabetes who spoke English and had internet access were eligible. Sixty people participated. Main outcome measuresAnalyses examined validity and reliability of diabetes nutrition self-efficacy and behavior items. Statistical analysis performedTo test reliability, internal consistency and factor structures of the scales were examined. To evaluate convergent validity, Pearson correlations were computed to examine the association of the self-efficacy and behavior measures with each other and with clinical indicators (ie, body mass index, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1c). ResultsTwo self-efficacy factors were identified. Each showed strong internal consistency (Cronbach α ≥ 0.85; McDonald ω ≥ 0.88) and was directly associated with diabetes nutrition behavior (P < .001). The factor assessing Confidence in Using the Diabetes Plate was inversely associated with hemoglobin A1c (Pearson correlation = –0.32, P = .0243). The behavior measure capturing Healthy Nutrition Behavior showed strong internal consistency (α = 0.89; ω = 0.92) and was inversely associated with hemoglobin A1c (Pearson correlation = –0.38, P = .0057). ConclusionsDiabetes nutrition self-efficacy and behavior items developed for the WCIE program for AI/AN adults are valid and reliable. These items can facilitate rigorous and consistent evaluation of the AI/AN WCIE program.

Development and preliminary validation of a questionnaire for assessing fitness centers

This manuscript comprehensively examines the development and preliminary validation of a questionnaire designed to assess fitness centers. The study aims to address existing gaps in the literature by providing a standardized tool for evaluating the quality of fitness facilities. The study aims to design, validate, and present a preliminary assessment instrument tailored specifically for fitness centers, encompassing various aspects such as program offerings, facility conditions, and staff competencies. The research methods involved the identification of key indicators affecting fitness center services, followed by the generation and validation of questionnaire items through a rigorous statistical analysis. The research subjects consisted of 119 fitness enthusiasts from Angeles City, Philippines, who actively participated in the validation process. The instruments used in data processing included Likert-style rating scales and statistical methods such as Point Biserial Correlation and t-tests. The analysis of data utilized in data processing led to the retention of 59 questionnaire items, demonstrating significant correlation coefficients. The study's results highlight the reliability and validity of the developed questionnaire as a valuable tool for assessing fitness centers, providing insights into client needs and areas for improvement. In conclusion, the preliminary validation of the questionnaire serves as a crucial step towards enhancing the quality and standards of fitness center services, benefiting both managers and regulatory authorities in ensuring the provision of safe and effective fitness facilities.

Development and Validation of the Resilience Scale for Kidney Transplantation (RS-KTPL)

PurposeThis study developed a resilience scale for kidney transplantation (RS-KTPL) and assessed its reliability and validity. MethodsThe tool was developed based on Devellis’ (2017) guidelines. During the tool development phase, the concept of resilience in 10 patients who had undergone a kidney transplant was analyzed by integrating results from the theoretical and field research stages. Initial tool items were then derived. These items underwent content validity verification, item review, and a preliminary survey. The validation phase involved two main surveys, conducted using the preliminary 59 items derived from the development phase for data gathering. The first survey had 266 participants, and the second had 205 participants. Using the collected data, the structural validity, convergent validity, discriminant validity, criterion validity, and reliability of the tool items were verified, ultimately establishing the final items. ResultsThe RS-KTPL comprises six factors with 27 items confirmed through EFA and CFA on a 4-point Likert scale: positive thought transition through recovery belief, supportive relationships with others, self-awareness of negative psychological reactions, physical health control, homeostasis control, and supportive relationships with medical staff. The cumulative explanation of the tool was 50.71%. The model fit of the RS-KTPL was represented as follows: GFI .88, CFI .93, TLI .91, RMSEA .04, and SRMRI .06. Convergent, discriminant, and criterion validity were also secured. The reliability of the tool, measured by Cronbach’s α was .87. ConclusionThe RS-KTPL can be used to identify the level of resilience in patients who have undergone a kidney transplant, enabling them to recognize their strengths and areas of improvement for enhanced resilience. This tool can be applied in clinical nursing practices to comprehensively assess the resilience of patients with a kidney transplant, providing direction for nursing intervention plans to enhance patient resilience.

Breaking Barriers: An Innovative Tool to Assess the National and City-Level Physical Activity Policy Development to Practice Disconnect.

Population-level physical activity increases are improbable without intersectoral collaboration across government levels and sectors to develop and implement physical activity promotion policies. This study aims to provide information about the development of the Interaction between National and Local Government Levels in Development and Implementation of Physical Activity Policies Tool (INTEGRATE PA-Pol). A framework was created to examine the development and implementation of national and subnational physical activity policies and the (mis)alignment between government levels. The work was conducted in 3 phases: (1)a scoping review was carried out to identify local government physical activity promotion policies and instruments for assessing them, (2)an expert group designed 6 questionnaires, and (3)cognitive response testing was employed for validity testing and item modification with a panel of research and policy experts. The INTEGRATE PA-Pol Tool consists of 6 questionnaires assessing how national and subnational governments collaborate to develop and implement physical activity promotion policies. This tool can assist in better understanding the development and implementation of a public policy monitoring system that will allow for benchmarking and priority setting to comprehend how physical activity promotion policies are designed and executed.

Quality of Education Services and Community Satisfaction with SDIT Using The Servqual Model

This research develops a model through measuring the quality of educational services towards the competitive excellence of SDIT (Integrated Islamic Primary Schools). This research aims to test the gap scores for each dimension of each SDIT, thus it can determine the right marketing strategy to satisfy and increase the interest of new students’ parents who believe that their children will receive an education at an excellent Islamic Elementary School. The research was using a quantitative approach through respondent description, item validity and reliability, and ServQual model statistical tests. The population in the research was all people who believe in Integrated Islamic Primary School education in Klaten Regency. This research used a purposive sampling technique of 100 respondents. The attributes in the questionnaire were adapted from the ServQual concept which is suitable in the realm of educational research including tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. Quantitative tests include validity tests, item reliability and ServQual confirmation tests. The test results of validity and reliability were valid and reliable. The confirmation test score has a positive average value of 60.27 with the lowest positive value in the reliabilities dimension of 28.45, followed by tangibles 34.28, responsiveness 72.58 assurance 88.44 and empathy has the highest value of 127.60. Improvement efforts must continue to be made by the SDIT management with an emphasis on improving the value that still has the lowest positive dimension followed by the next positive value. Increasing the quality of SDIT's educational services by implementing the Total Quality Management concept optimally will lead to increased community satisfaction and strengthened SDIT's competitive performance in the future.

Pengembangan Instrumen Asesmen Literasi Digital dalam Pembelajaran untuk Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah

This study aims to develop a digital literacy instrument for Madrasah Ibtidaiyah teachers that serves to measure the extent of teachers' digital literacy. This research involved 166 teacher respondents in MI in Bogor City. The research method used is the Plomp Model, also known as design research, which has stages such as preliminary research, prototyping phase, and assessment phase in the development process. The instrument developed in the form of a questionnaire that has been made is first validated by 2 expert validators (material and evaluation), after being declared valid by expert validators, the questionnaire is then carried out a limited test to calculate the level of validity and reliability of each question item. The questionnaire uses a Likert scale with 4 categories of answer choices (often, rarely, ever, never). The results of the study can be concluded that The question items that can be used as data collection tools on the digital literacy questionnaire instrument are 50 question items and are categorized as valid and can be used as a teacher digital literacy evaluation tool. Based on the validity calculation, it can be seen that 78% of the question items can be used as data collection tools with high and sufficient validity categories. While the other 22% can be used by making improvements first with low validity. Based on reliability criteria, the digital literacy questionnaire shows very high-reliability criteria (0.860) with a reliability level greater than 0.7.

Validity Evidence for an Observational Fidelity Measure to Inform Scale-Up of Evidence-Based Interventions.

As evidence-based interventions are scaled, fidelity of implementation, and thus effectiveness, often wanes. Validated fidelity measures can improve researchers' ability to attribute outcomes to the intervention and help practitioners feel more confident in implementing the intervention as intended. We aim to provide a model for the validation of fidelity observation protocols to guide future research studying evidence-based interventions scaled-up under real-world conditions. We describe a process to build evidence of validity for items within the Session Review Form, an observational tool measuring fidelity to interactive drug prevention programs such as the Botvin LifeSkills Training program. Following Kane's (2006) assumptions framework requiring that validity evidence be built across four areas (scoring, generalizability, extrapolation, and decision), confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized two-factor structure measuring quality of delivery (seven items assessing how well the material is implemented) and participant responsiveness (three items evaluating how well the intervention is received), and measurement invariance tests suggested the structure held across grade level and schools serving different student populations. These findings provide some evidence supporting the extrapolation assumption, though additional research is warranted since a more complete overall depiction of the validity argument is needed to evaluate fidelity measures.

Developing a pediatric nursing simulation scenario template in South Korea: applying real-time Delphi methods.

This study aimed to describe the process of developing a validated pediatric nursing simulation scenario template using the real-time Delphi method. A panel of 13 pediatric nursing experts participated in a real-time Delphi survey conducted over two rounds. Initially, 83 items were included in the questionnaire focusing on the structure and content of the simulation scenario template. Data analysis involved calculating the content validity ratio (CVR) and the coefficient of variation to assess item validity and stability. Through iterative rounds of the Delphi survey, a consensus was reached among the experts, resulting in the development of a pediatric nursing simulation scenario template comprising 41 items across nine parts. The CVR values ranged from 0.85 to 1.0, indicating a high consensus among experts regarding the inclusion of all items in the template. This study presents a novel approach for developing a pediatric nursing simulation scenario template using real-time Delphi methods. The real-time Delphi method facilitated the development of a comprehensive and scientifically grounded pediatric nursing simulation scenario template. Our template aligns with the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning standards, and provides valuable guidance for educators in designing effective simulation scenarios, contributing to enhanced learning outcomes and better preparation for pediatric clinical practice. However, consideration of cultural and contextual adaptations is necessary, and further research should explore alternative consensus criteria.

Relationship between Human Resource Development, Work Discipline on Nurse Performance at Hermina Jatinegara Hospital

HR developments is a manifestation of efforts to developed the qualities of human resources capabilities through various processes of educational planning methods, training, and managements of personel or employee to achieving a satisfactory result. The quality of health services provided by nurses is determined by their performance, so in order to maintain a better quality of service, one of benchmark in assessing qualities of nursing service in hospital is to assess performance of nursing service in hospital rooms. These studies aim to determining partial and simultaneous relationships between development of human resources and work discipline on the performance of nurses at Hermina Jatinegara Hospital. Data collections technique in these studies was a questionnaire. Population of these studies were all nurses at Hermina Jatinegara Hospital inpatient work units, totaling 30 peoples with the overall sampling or saturate sample. The type of research use in these studies is a quantitative approach, by tested probability value of Spearman rank correlation significance, by tested validity and reliability of statements item for each variable and t test and f test which are process use SPSS version 27 programs. The result of these studies indicating that partially developments of human resource is significant relate to performances of nurse indicate by a significances value of 0.000 ≤ 0.05, then partially work discipline is significant relate to performances of nurse indicate by a significances value of 0.000 ≤ 0.05, then simultaneously the development of human resources and work discipline has a significant relationship with nurse performance shown with a significances value of 0.000 ≤ 0.05. The author's suggestion in these studies is that Hermina Jatinegara Hospital can provide development training to support nurse skills, evaluate nurse work time and provide assistance by supervisors to support nurse performance. Keywords: Human Resource Development, Work Discipline, and Performance

Development and Validation of a Stroke Literacy Assessment Test for Community Health Workers.

Community health workers (CHWs) are increasingly being required to perform complex health care activities, especially in community cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention. However, currently, there are no psychometrically validated instruments for assessing CHW competencies in these roles. This article describes the development and validation of the stroke literacy assessment test (SLAT)-pertaining to the Life's Simple Seven (LS7) risk factors for stroke-for evaluating CHWs' competencies in the context of education and training programs. The SLAT was developed using an iterative instrument design protocol, followed by empirically testing the instrument in 68 CHWs from the Columbia University Institute for Training Outreach and Community Health (InTOuCH) in New York. Data collection began in March 2021 and continued through May 2021. The evaluation was based on four types of validity evidence: (a) content validation with expert reviews of items and overall domain, (b) validation on examinee response processes with cognitive interviews, (c) item validation and diagnostic analysis, and (d) validity evidence based on expected directional group differences. In addition, the internal consistency reliability of the total test scores, with the best functioning items, were evaluated. Two such iterative cycles yielded a 34-item, written structured response test that assesses the factual knowledge and application levels of cognition, and demonstrates sufficient validity and reliability (Cronbach's α = .69) for use with CHWs specializing in stroke prevention efforts. The SLAT is a novel, valid, and reliable instrument that contributes to filling a critical gap in rigorous competency assessments for CHWs deployed in chronic disease prevention.

Classification and stratification in pilonidal sinus disease: findings from the PITSTOP cohort.

Research in pilonidal disease faces several challenges, one of which is consistent and useful disease classification. The International Pilonidal Society (IPS) proposed a four-part classification in 2017. The aim of this work was to assess the validity and reliability of this tool using data from the PITSTOP cohort study. Face validity was assessed by mapping the items/domains in the IPS tool against tools identified through a systematic review. Key concepts were defined as those appearing in more than two-thirds of published tools. Concurrent and predictive validity were assessed by comparing key patient-reported outcome measures between groups at baseline and at clinic visit. The outcomes of interest were health utility, Cardiff Wound Impact Questionnaire (CWIQ) and pain score between groups. Significance was set at p = 0.05 a priori. Interrater reliability was assessed using images captured during the PITSTOP cohort. Ninety images were assessed by six raters (two experts, two general surgeons and two trainees), and classified into IPS type. Interrater reliability was assessed using the unweighted kappa and unweighted Gwet's AC1 statistics. For face validity items represented in the IPS were common to other classification systems. Concurrent and predictive validity assessment showed differences in health utility and pain between groups at baseline, and for some treatment groups at follow-up. Assessors agreed the same classification in 38% of participants [chance-corrected kappa 0.52 (95% CI 0.42-0.61), Gwet's AC1 0.63 (95% CI 0.56-0.69)]. The IPS classification demonstrates key aspects of reliability and validity that would support its implementation.

Development and validation of the hospice professional coping scale among Chinese nurses

BackgroundHospice care professionals often experience trauma patient deaths and multiple patient deaths in a short period of time (more so than other nurses). This repeated exposure to the death process and the death of patients leads to greater psychological pressure on hospice care professionals. But at present, people pay more attention to the feelings and care burden of the family members of dying patients but pay less attention to medical staff. Thus, this study aimed to develop a scale on the burden of care for hospice care providers and assess the coping capacity of hospice professionals. Raising awareness of the psychological burden of hospice professionals.MethodsThrough a literature review, research group discussion, Delphi method and a pre-survey of professional coping skills among nurses, 200 hospice professionals who had received training in hospice care from pilot institutions engaged in or providing hospice care were selected for investigation. Cronbach’s α coefficient and split-half reliability were used to test the internal consistency of the scale, and content validity and explore factor analysis (EFA) were used to test the construct validity of the scale.ResultsTwo rounds of Delphi methods were carried out, and the effective recovery rate was 100%. The expert authority coefficients of the two rounds were 0.838 and 0.833, respectively. The Kendall’s W coefficient of experts in the first round was 0.121 ~ 0.200 (P < 0.05), and the Kendall’s W coefficient of the second round was 0.115–0.136 (P < 0.05), indicating a good level of expert coordination. The final survey scale for the care burden of hospice professionals included four dimensions—working environment (9 items), professional roles (8 items), clinical nursing (9 items) and psychological burden (7 items)—with a total of 33 items. The total Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.963, and the Cronbach’s α coefficients of the working environment, professional roles, clinical nursing and psychological burden dimensions were 0.920, 0.889, 0.936 and 0.910, respectively. The total split-half reliability of the scale was 0.927, and the split-half reliability of each dimension was 0.846, 0.817, 0.891, and 0.832. The content validity of the scale items ranged from 0.90 to 1.00. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 5 common factors, with a total cumulative contribution rate of 68.878%. The common degree of each item in the scale was > 0.4, and the factor loading of each item was also > 0.4.ConclusionThe scale is an open-access, short, easy-to-administer scale. And which for assessing hospice care burden among hospice professionals developed in this study demonstrated strong reliability and validity. This tool can serve as a dependable instrument for evaluating the burden of hospice care for terminally ill patients by professionals in the hospice setting.

A Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Czech Version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire: The Content Validity Part.

The Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) is a widely used parent questionnaire for screening motor coordination disorders in children aged 5-15 years. Despite increasing motor difficulties in children, a validated version is lacking in Central Europe. In addition, previous studies pointed out that several DCDQ items were shown to be problematic in different cultural environments. We found that the majority of these studies did not assess the item's content validity approach for keeping the semantic form and linguistic intelligibility of the original items. Therefore, this study aimed to translate the DCDQ, determine the content validity of items, and adapt the DCDQ for Czech children aged 6-10 years, where the identification of motor difficulties is crucial. Back-translation was employed, and face validity was consulted with linguistic experts and occupational therapists. A sample of 25 bilingual parents and practitioners evaluated the translated version, with content validity assessed using the Content Validity Ratio coefficient (CVR). Initial CVR scores ranged from 0.6 to 1.0. Lower scores were found for items 14 and 15, which were shown to be problematic in previous studies. The reason for the lower content validity in these items was due to double negation. Following linguistic modifications, the CVR values improved (range: 0.87-1.0), indicating content and semantic stability. Our findings underscore the importance of considering content validity and language specificity, including issues like double negation, during cross-cultural questionnaire validation to mitigate potential psychometric concerns in the future. The adapted Czech version exhibits significant content validity, thereby warranting further validation of its psychometric properties.