Self-report Instrument Research Articles

Exploring foreign language classroom emotions and their impact on achievement in China: Validating the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire—Short form

Achievement emotions are crucial for acqussiring a foreign language, yet reliable tools to measure emotions beyond anxiety, enjoyment, and boredom in foreign language classrooms remain scarce. Furthermore, few studies have examined the different predictive effects of various foreign language classroom emotions on language learning achievement. This article presents two studies that aim to address these research gaps. In Study 1, based on the control-value theory of achievement emotions, we adapted and validated the short form of the Achievement Emotions Questionnaire for Foreign Language Classrooms, a self-report instrument that measures eight achievement emotions: enjoyment, hope, pride, anger, anxiety, boredom, hopelessness, and shame. The questionnaire was administered to 1,063 Chinese university students (567 females, mean age = 18.86, SD = 1.04, range = 17‒24 years) enrolled in English as a foreign language courses. The questionnaire exhibited acceptable psychometric properties including construct validity, reliability, measurement invariance, and external validity. In Study 2, we measured students’ English language learning achievement using their scores on a standardized exam. Scores of 202 students were analysed (131 females; mean age = 18.82, SD = 0.82, range = 17‒24 years). Regression analyses indicated that negative emotions were more predictive of achievement than positive emotions (except hope, which was the most influential predictor among the positive emotions). Theoretical, methodological, and practical implications and limitations were discussed.

Mental health professionals’ beliefs and attitudes towards compulsory admission in Athens: a token of social stigma or good faith in psychiatry?—a cross-sectional study

BackgroundMental health professionals’ (MHPs) attitudes towards involuntary admissions have not received adequate attention in efforts to curb their rates. Thus, the present study set out to (i) explore MHP attitudes regarding involuntary hospitalisation, (ii) describe their perceived dangerousness of people with severe mental illness (SMI) and their trust in psychiatry, (iii) identify the predictors of attitudes towards compulsory admissions and (iv) gauge the contribution of perceived dangerousness versus trust in psychiatry to explaining them.MethodsA random sample of 300 mental health professionals working in public mental health services located in the Northern part of Athens and in the two psychiatric hospitals of Attica participated in the study. Respondents had to complete a self-reported instrument garnering information about participants’ attitudes towards involuntary hospitalisation (original scale), the perceived dangerousness of people with SMI (Perceived Dangerousness Scale) and their trust in psychiatry (based on the Attitudes to Mental Illness scale) as well as various socio-demographic and work-related variables.ResultsRespondents largely accepted involuntary hospitalisations, considering them to be beneficial (72.96%) and disagreeing with the view that they adversely influence the course of illness (54.85%). Nonetheless, they believe that people with SMI should be treated in the community (89.93%), that compulsory admission should be the last therapeutic resort (84.01%) and that people with SMI should not be placed in psychiatric hospitals against their will in order to be under surveillance (90.64%). However, they acknowledge that involuntary admission is often the only treatment options(61.19%). Concomitantly, they report moderate levels of perceived dangerousness and high levels of trust in psychiatry. Trust in psychiatry had the strongest positive association with acceptance of involuntary hospitalisation among mental health professionals whereas postgraduate studies and working in outpatient settings were linked to less favourable attitudes. Interestingly, perceived dangerousness did not yield an independent effect; rather, it weakened the association between trust in psychiatry and acceptance of involuntary admissions.ConclusionsMental health professionals hold complex attitudes towards involuntary hospitalisation, which are largely explained by their trust in psychiatry. Efforts to reduce the rates of involuntary admissions should address both them and their determinants.

Exploring the Psychometric Properties of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC)

Abstract The aim of this paper was to critically evaluate the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). The CD-RISC is a brief, self-report instrument consisting of 25 items on a 5-point Likert scale which ranges from zero to four with higher scores reflecting greater resilience. A five-factor scale is used to conceptualise resilience with eight items on personal competence, high standards, and tenacity; seven items on trust in one’s instinct, tolerance of negative effects, and strengthening effects of stress; five items on positive acceptance of change and secure relationships; three items on control; and two items on spiritual influences. The CD-RISC has been used across a range of contexts and populations and has been translated into many languages. The CD-RISC has been critically evaluated as a part of wider reviews and has been critiqued within individual studies which have utilised the measure; however, there has not yet been a specific, critical evaluation of the scale which provides a comprehensive picture of the measure by drawing such research together. Given how widely the measure is used across both clinical and non-clinical populations, it is felt necessary to provide clinicians and researchers with an evaluation of the measure in terms of its reliability and validity. Such information is essential when drawing conclusions from scores on the measure. As such, this article will present and discuss the strengths and limitations of the CD-RISC with reference to its psychometric properties. In addition, the implications of the findings of the review will be discussed with reference to its use in current practice and research.

Cross-culture adaptation and validation of Indonesian language version of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have a high rate of poor sleep. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is the most popular self-reported instrument to measure sleep quality. No study has tested the psychometric efficiency of the Bahasa (Indonesian language) PSQI in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and no cross-cultural adaptation has been done. The purpose of this research was to translate the PSQI into Bahasa and improve its psychometric properties for use in evaluating HD patients in Indonesia. This study used instrument translation, cultural adaptation, content validation, and equivalence to crossculturally validate and adapt an instrument. The hemodialysis center at a West Java medical facility served as a source of potential HD patients throughout the period of October 2022 to February 2023. A content validity index (CVI) was calculated for each item and the entire scale. The factor structure of the Bahasa PSQI has been evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha. The online survey received a response rate of 62.8% from a total of 220 patient with HD (about ten responders each item). The level of language clarity was 87.8%, and the level of cultural relevance was 84.5%. The CVI varied from 0.92 to 1.00. Each factor had factor loading ranging from 0.51 to 0.62. that Cronbach alpha for total score was 0.803, and the subscale ranged from 0.771 to 0.863. Our research provides preliminary evidence of the validity and reliability of the translated and adapted tool using data from HD patients in Indonesian hospitals.

Patient-reported outcome measures-use in diagnosing depression, anxiety, and stress

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is an umbrella term for various self-report instruments used to assess subjective health-related impressions and treatment success from the patient's perspective. In psychosomatic medicine, PROMs are often used to record subjective symptoms, psychosocial distress, and changes in health status, particularly in patients with comorbid (affective) disorders and frequent contact with physicians, but also in preventive health care and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment. In otolaryngology (ENT), self-report questionnaires (PROMs) are used, among other things, to assess the impact of hearing, speech, swallowing, and breathing disorders on patients' quality of life. Such scientifically validated tools make it possible to better understand the needs and priorities of patients and to integrate them into clinician-patient communication and treatment to promote individual, patient-centered care. Three dimensions for the assessment of subjective health-related experiences (depression, anxiety, stress) with corresponding instruments for the German-speaking area for use in clinical and research settings are presented in more detail, specifically for otolaryngology.

Construct Validity and Reliability of the Effective Early Childhood Physical Literacy Pedagogue (ECE-PLP) Self-Report Instrument

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the reliability and construct validity of the 51-item Effective Early Childhood Physical Literacy Pedagogue self-report instrument (ECE-PLP) measuring Early Childhood Educators’ (ECEs) perceived physical literacy (PPL) capabilities, knowledge, and practices for effectively promoting PL in young children. 494 ECEs completed the ECE-PLP and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire self-report measure of physical activity (IPAQ-SF). Item reduction analyses resulted in the ECE-PLP containing 3 subscales and 30 items. Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a five-factor solution, and weak correlations were observed between total ECE-PLP and subscale scores, and IPAQ-SF scores. Results indicated high internal consistency for total ECE-PLP scores and all subscales (α range = 0.87–0.95). Acceptable test–retest reliability was found among 44 ECEs’ total ECE-PLP scores and subscales (r range = 0.88–0.97). The final scale contained 4 subscales and 28 items. This study presents a novel instrument for ECEs, demonstrating strong internal consistency and limited support for convergent validity.

Mobile use in an age of interruption: Implications of capacity and structural interference for mobile users

We investigate the performance consequences of on-screen interruptions in mobile use. Drawing on capacity theory of attention, we conjecture that attention capacity may be lower in mobile use relative to PC use. A self-report instrument provides preliminary support for this conjecture. An online experiment provides additional support by showing that mobile users benefit from lower switching costs when they turn their attention to an interrupting task, while they suffer higher resumption costs when they resume a task that already demanded their attention. This study advances the understanding of mobile behavior while contributing to the broader literature on attention and interference.

Validation of the Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale Adapted to the Early Childhood Education and Care Context

ABSTRACT Research Findings: The Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale (CCNES) is a self-report instrument developed to measure parents’ emotion socialization with their children. This study examined the factorial and convergent validity of a short version of the CCNES adapted for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) context. Using exploratory factor analysis with responses from 490 ECEC-workers from the Oslo Early Education Study, our results revealed a three-factor structure of the CCNES, including emotion dismissing, emotion coaching, and emotion distracting. Model specifications were conducted in half the sample and cross-validated in the other half. ECEC-workers’ coaching and distracting correlated positively with each other and with their reports of supportive scaffolding practices and self-efficacy in supporting children’s socioemotional development. Dismissing correlated negatively with these measures. Practice and Policy. Our results indicate that this ECEC version of the CCNES is a valid instrument to assess ECEC-workers’ emotion socialization strategies in interactions with children and to support the use of distracting as a separate strategy. This instrument enables us to extend our knowledge of teacher–child interaction quality in ECEC by examining associations with children’s development. The CCNES could also form the baseline for discussions and reflections about ECEC-workers’ professional roles and development.

Implementation and Effectiveness of a Nurse-Led Oral Hygiene Program for Schoolchildren: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Good oral hygiene is essential for schoolchildren's well-being. However, lack of knowledge, negative attitudes, and poor oral hygiene practices may predispose to oral-related diseases. This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led oral hygiene program on schoolchildren's knowledge, attitudes, and practices. A quasi-experimental design with pre-and-post-test was used. Using the convenience sampling technique, we recruited 400 schoolchildren, aged 11-12 and in grades 5-6, from two primary schools in Egypt. The study was conducted from September 2022 to May 2023. The Oral Hygiene Program served as the primary intervention. This program contains health education topics (e.g., the importance of oral hygiene, techniques for effective tooth brushing, and dietary choices that promote dental health). Three visits were conducted (Visit 1: introduction of the program purpose and objectives and pre-test scores collection, Visit 2: implementation of oral hygiene topics, and Visit 3: post-test scores collection). We used three self-report instruments (Oral Health Knowledge Questionnaire, Hiroshima University's Dental Behavioral Inventory, and Oral Health Practice Questionnaire) for pre- and post-test. Paired T test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for data analysis. After the intervention program, the oral hygiene program effectively enhanced schoolchildren's knowledge, attitudes, and practices. The post-intervention mean scores were 7.83±0.488 (knowledge), 6.63±1.7 (practices), and 9.33±1.1 (attitudes). High statistically significant differences were noted between schoolchildren's oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices before and after implementing the program (p=0.000). There were enhancements in the level of knowledge, with improved positive attitudes and satisfactory practices among schoolchildren after the implementation of the oral hygiene program. Integrating oral hygiene programs into the general curriculum in primary schools and training school nurses, caregivers, and teachers in implementing oral hygiene programs could improve oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices for preventing oral problems.

Pain beliefs and their relationship with pain, psychological distress and catastrophizing in individuals with Parkinson’s disease

ABSTRACT In Parkinson’s disease (PD), a large number of individuals are confronted with pain. This issue has been receiving increasing attention in literature in recent years, as the complexity of pain in this disease makes its evaluation and treatment challenging. However, psychological variables related to the pain experience have received limited attention, especially when it comes to the exploration of beliefs regarding pain which, to our knowledge, remains unexplored in PD. Pain beliefs are defined as a subset of a patient’s belief system which represents a personal understanding of the pain experience. Four dimensions of pain beliefs have been isolated in literature: mystery, pain permanence, pain constancy and self-blame. Thus, the goal of this study was first to describe pain beliefs in individuals with PD and second, to explore the relationships between pain beliefs and clinical and psychological variables. One hundred and sixty-nine international individuals with PD completed an online survey with socio-demographic and medical data. Participants completed self-report instruments to assess their pain (King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Questionnaire, McGill Pain Questionnaire and Brief Pain Inventory), psychological distress (Beck Depression Inventory, short-form and Parkinson Anxiety Scale), pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale) and pain beliefs catastrophizing (Pain Beliefs and Perception Inventory). The study’s findings revealed that most participants’ beliefs are marked by the dimension of permanence, suggesting that individuals with PD perceive the pain experience as chronic and enduring. Meanwhile, pain is minimally perceived as constant, mysterious, or a source of guilt. Our finding concerning the permanence dimension deserves specific attention: even though this belief is prevalent in our population, it is not, or only weakly, associated with an impact on mood or pain catastrophizing. These results bring forth several hypotheses for understanding, highlighting the role of acceptance, and offer new perspectives toward improving clinical practices in terms of assessing and managing pain in PD.

Defining treatment response in gambling disorder

BackgroundGambling disorder is a common mental health condition, and a growing cause of concern globally. Despite the availability of well-validated self-report and clinical instruments to measure symptom severity, there has been no study to establish optimal thresholds for determining treatment response based on these measures. MethodsData from 553 participants (aged 18–65 years) who had participated in previous pharmacological and psychotherapeutic clinical trials for gambling disorder were aggregated. Studies were included that collected Clinical Global Impression Improvement (CGI-I) at end-of-study (reference standard), as well as baseline and end-of-study symptom severity using the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS) and/or the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Modified for Pathological Gambling (PG-YBOCS). Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) analyses were conducted to identify optimal thresholds for determining treatment response. ResultsGreater than 50% improvement in PG-YBOCS and 35% improvement in GSAS were the optimal thresholds for defining treatment response. For the PG-YBOCS, the cutoff had acceptable sensitivity and specificity (85.0%, 83.0%) and area under the curve of 0.904. For the GSAS, the cutoff had acceptable sensitivity and specificity (81.2%, 73.4%), and area under the curve of 0.859. ConclusionsThis study provides useful thresholds on two widely used, valid outcome measures for gambling disorder, in terms of determining treatment response or absence thereof. These thresholds may be useful for clinical practice at the level of individual patients, but also for future clinical trials.

Tele-Medical Nutrition Therapy to Promote Healthy Eating and Nutrition Adherence of Chronic Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pragmatically Before-After Trial.

Patients find it difficult, during the pandemic, to receive appropriate nutrition services because of the limited access to health services. This study assessed the effectiveness of a tele-consulting nutrition intervention on the nutrition adherence of patients with diabetes and hypertension. A tele-medical nutrition therapy (MNT) intervention was conducted as a one-group before-after trial. The estimated sample size was 314. Of these, 183 patients were selected from Hefdah-e-Shahrivar and 131 from Farabi Hospital. Patients were asked to complete an adapted version of the nutrition adherence self-reported instrument to compare nutrition adherence when they received face-to-face therapy versus tele MNT. In total, 166 completed all phases of the study. The results showed that the nutrition adherence score significantly increased compared to before the intervention. Hedges's g effect size also confirmed the high efficacy of telenutrition therapy. The magnitude of differences was within a high range (effect size 3.76 [CI: 3.40-4.12]). The present findings showed that providing teleconsulting nutrition services to diabetic and hypertensive patients can positively affect their nutrition adherence. Telenutrition to promote a healthy diet can contribute to effectively controlling diseases in chronic patients during/after the pandemic with no gaps or failures. This study was a tele-nutrition intervention. In this study, we provided consultation on regular food consumption and did not order any chemical substances or nutritional supplements. Furthermore, we did not perform any treatment or invasive intervention, we assumed that a registration number was unnecessary, so we did not apply for clinical trial registration.

Mediating role of self-esteem on university students’ physical activity attitude and frequency

Background and Study Aim. The health benefits of physical activity are well-known. Despite this, there is an ongoing decline in total physical activity (PA), especially among adolescents and young women. This decline points to the need to find more effective solutions. This study aimed to determine the relationship between physical activity and attitudes toward physical activity, and also between self-esteem body image (as subjective variables) and body mass index (as an objective variable). Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study measured and investigated 152 female students from various faculties in their first and second years of study at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies. The research utilized direct anthropometrical measurements and several self-reported instruments. These included questionnaires on self-esteem body image, physical activity attitude, and a report on the frequency of physical activity. Self-esteem was assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Body dissatisfaction was evaluated using the Contour Drawing Rating Scale. Results. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) value of 20.89 kg/m² indicates a healthy, normal BMI. The mean self-esteem score (31.48) falls within the normal range, but 60% of respondents could not match their actual body shape with their ideal or desired body image. 54% of respondents reported engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity, three times a week, outside the university program. As a result, the mean value of the attitude towards physical activity is slightly positive. 33% of young women's self-esteem is related to physical factors such as body image, frequency of physical activity, and attitude towards physical activity. Conclusions. The study indicates that targeted physical education programs and consistent, independent physical activity can mitigate the challenges associated with the investigated variables. Moreover, self-esteem significantly mediates the relationship between body image and physical activity frequency, as well as students’ attitudes toward physical activity.

The mediating role of self-directed learning ability in the impact of educational environment, learning motivation, and emotional intelligence on metacognitive awareness in nursing students

PurposeThis study aimed to examine the mechanisms influencing metacognitive awareness among nursing students, encompassing educational environment, learning motivation, emotional intelligence, and self-directed learning ability. These findings could be a theoretical reference for formulating metacognitive awareness intervention strategies specifically designed for nursing students.MethodThrough stratified sampling, 600 nursing students were recruited from two universities in China. Data collection involved five self-report instruments: the Metacognitive Awareness Inventory, Medical Education Environment Evaluation Scale, Learning Motivation Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, and Self-Directed Learning Ability Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to test the measurement model, while structural equation modeling utilized multiple indices to assess model fit. Bootstrapping was conducted to analyze total, direct, and indirect effects.ResultsAll study variables differed significantly according to age and year level (p < 0.01). Metacognitive awareness positively correlated with the educational environment, learning motivation, emotional intelligence, and self-directed learning ability ( r = 0.493–0.729; all p < 0.01). The test of the measurement model shows good reliability and validity. The model depicting factors influencing metacognitive awareness demonstrated a good fit (χ2/df = 2.42, SRMR = 0.048, RMSEA = 0.049, CFI = 0.947, IFI = 0.935). Path analyses revealed that educational environment (EE), learning motivation (LM), and emotional intelligence (EI) directly impacted self-directed learning ability (SDLA) ( βEE = 0.189, βLM = 0.436; βEI = 0.215; all p < 0.05). Moreover, educational environment and self-directed learning ability directly influenced metacognitive awareness (βEE = 0.224, βSDLA = 0.520; all p < 0.05). Lastly, the educational environment, learning motivation, and emotional intelligence influenced metacognitive awareness by self-directed learning ability.ConclusionMetacognitive awareness in nursing students rises with age and year level. Females exhibit more potent self-directed learning abilities than males. Educational environment, motivation, and emotional intelligence indirectly influence metacognitive awareness via self-directed learning ability. This finding has enriched the ways and perspectives of metacognitive awareness training for nursing students.

Language learner well-being in heritage language learning: conceptualisation, measurement, and a pathway to flourishing

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the process of developing an original framework for conceptualising and measuring language learner well-being within the context of heritage language (HL) learning. Drawing on a quantitative validation study with 545 young Chinese heritage language (CHL) learners, aged 7–18, in the UK, this paper presents an empirically validated model alongside a self-report instrument designed to measure learner well-being. A comprehensive development and validation process yielded a 24-item Language Learner Well-being Scale, exhibiting robust psychometric properties, including face, content, construct validity, and internal reliability. Results from exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses uncovered a four-factor model of language learner well-being – enjoyment, connectedness, meaning, and competence – which represent the key pillars of flourishing among CHL learners. This multi-dimensional model provides potential pathways through which flourishing can be actively promoted in HL learning, with implications that are applicable to wider second/foreign language learning contexts. By exploring what constitutes well-being and developing an effective measure, the study also sets the stage for meaningful interventions in the future to optimise students’ language learning experience.

Microbiome-based correction for random errors in nutrient profiles derived from self-reported dietary assessments

Since dietary intake is challenging to directly measure in large-scale cohort studies, we often rely on self-reported instruments (e.g., food frequency questionnaires, 24-hour recalls, and diet records) developed in nutritional epidemiology. Those self-reported instruments are prone to measurement errors, which can lead to inaccuracies in the calculation of nutrient profiles. Currently, few computational methods exist to address this problem. In the present study, we introduce a deep-learning approach—Microbiome-based nutrient profile corrector (METRIC), which leverages gut microbial compositions to correct random errors in self-reported dietary assessments using 24-hour recalls or diet records. We demonstrate the excellent performance of METRIC in minimizing the simulated random errors, particularly for nutrients metabolized by gut bacteria in both synthetic and three real-world datasets. Additionally, we find that METRIC can still correct the random errors well even without including gut microbial compositions. Further research is warranted to examine the utility of METRIC to correct actual measurement errors in self-reported dietary assessment instruments.

Capturing autonomy, competence, and relatedness at work: further examining and validating an English language version of the work-related basic need satisfaction scale.

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) maintains that the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness is associated with optimal individual functioning, including in the workplace. A self-report instrument, the Work-related Basic Need Satisfaction scale (W-BNS), has previously been developed and validated in Dutch and Italian. We aimed to validate an English version of the W-BNS. We also evaluated a bifactor model to assess the extent to which the item responses could be explained by a single, underlying general latent trait. A Rasch calibration was also carried out to assess the extent to which the scores conformed to the assumptions of 'fundamental measurement' and could be converted to a common metric. We used data from 141 staff employed by a large UK-based mental health service provider. The postulated three-factor structure provided a good fit to the data. However, a bifactor model, introducing an underlying general factor, provided a superior fit. The items generally conformed to the Rasch measurement model. Evidence of convergent/divergent validity was observed via the correlations between the W-BNS scores and those for the Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNFS). Regarding construct validity, both the separate needs and total W-BNS scores statistically significantly predicted an individual's reported intention to leave the current employer. Our findings foster research with the WBNS and have implications for how the W-BNS is optimally implemented in practice as a useful brief tool for assessing staff work-related need satisfaction.

Reliability, reproducibility, and feasibility of youth activity profile (YAP) questionnaire in Chilean children and adolescents

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, reproducibility, and feasibility of the Youth Activity Profile Questionnaire (YAP-SL) in the Chilean version (YAP-C) in a sample of children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study included 160 youth, 59 children (5–11 years old), and 101 adolescents (12–17 years old) from the city of Viña del Mar (Chile). The YAP-SL is a 15-item self-report instrument which was administered twice at an interval of 7 days apart. This questionnaire was designed to capture physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour in youths in the last week, categorizing them into three domains: PA at school, PA out-of-school, and sedentary habits. Cronbach’s α coefficients were calculated to evaluate the internal consistency (reliability), and the reproducibility was determined by test-retest and Kendall’s tau b coefficients. Concerning the total YAP-C score, results indicated moderate-to-high reliability in the total sample (0.71), boys (0.76) and girls (0.66), as well as for children (0.73) and adolescents (0.70). The results also revealed variations in reliability and reproducibility across the three domains. In conclusion, the YAP-SL questionnaire presents moderate-to-high reliability in Chilean children and adolescents. However, the reliability and consistency of the YAP varied across the domains.

Building patient safety culture by using interprofessional simulation with nursing, paramedic and emergency telecommunication students: A mixed-methods research study

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate student attitudes toward interprofessional education and collaborative practice and their perceptions of simulation design elements after participating in an interprofessional simulation educational activity. BackgroundPatient safety continues to be an international healthcare priority. However, critical incidents to patients continue to persist due to poor communication between professionals and poor teamwork. DesignA mixed methods design. MethodThe study sample consisted of Bachelor of Nursing (n=81), Paramedic (n=38) and Emergency Telecommunication (n=11) students randomized into interprofessional groups. Following the interprofessional learning experience, students completed two standardized self-reporting instruments, Students Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education, National League for Nursing Simulation Design Scale and open-ended questions of their perceptions on teamwork and collaboration, communication skills, transfer of care and patient safety. ResultsStudents in each program reported high scores for attitudes toward the importance of teamwork and collaborative practice. There were significant differences in scores between programs for the ranking factors ‘Teamwork and Team-Based Practice’ (BN=4.74 SD 0.72, PM=4.66 SD 0.81, ET=4.95 SD 0.15 *; p = 0.00005) and ‘Roles & Responsibilities’ (BN=3.78 SD 1.12, PM=3.55 SD 0.92, ET=4.67 SD 0.85*; p= 0.012). Themes included: communication and collaboration in teamwork; roles, responsibilities and leadership; patient-centred care and safety; and emotional dynamics and professional growth. ConclusionAn interprofessional simulation is an effective strategy to practice teamwork and collaboration and communication skills during transfer of care. Ensuring earlier education of roles and responsibilities during transfer of care needs review as do strategies for structured handover communication tools.

Does adapting a self-report instrument to improve its cognitive accessibility for people with intellectual disability result in a better measure? − A cognitive interview study

Background and aimsWe investigated whether improving the cognitive accessibility of a widely used self-report measure leads to better understanding and more accurate answers in a sample of adults with mild intellectual disability and borderline intellectual functioning. Methods and proceduresWe undertook a series of cognitive interviews before and after adaptation of the instructions and selected items of an existing self-report measure of adaptive functioning. Interview results and participant feedback were supplemented with quantitative comparisons between participant and carer scores. Outcomes and resultsAdaptation based on participant experiences and preferences combined with evidence-informed guidelines improved understanding and accuracy. Self-report and carer-report scores showed greater convergence after adaptation; this occurred because people with intellectual disabilities appeared to understand the self-report measure more effectively. Conclusions and implicationsThe results show that adaptation of the self-report instrument to suit the needs and preferences of people with mild intellectual disability or borderline intellectual functioning leads to a more accessible measure and more reliable and valid results. Results also highlight the importance of complementing proxy reports with a first-person perspective in assessment as clients and informants may differ in their assessment of behavior and skills.