Development of an instrument to measure the attitudes and skills of undergraduate nursing students in caring for family caregivers: An international multi-method study
Jessica Longhini , Zarina Nahar Kabir , Nana Waldréus , Hanne Konradsen , Dorthe Gaby Bove , Asier Léniz , Maria Dolores Calle , Elena De Lorenzo Urien , Pankaj Bhardwaj , Suresh Sharma , Elisa Ambrosi , Federica Canzan
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
The increasing demands on family caregivers due to the shortage of healthcare professionals and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions underscore the need for adequate nursing support to enhance family caregivers' abilities and reduce their burden. No instrument exists to measure undergraduate nursing students' attitudes and skills in involving family caregivers. This study aimed to develop a questionnaire to evaluate undergraduate nursing students' attitudes and skills in caring for family caregivers.
Methods
A three-phase multi-method study was conducted involving a consortium of five universities in Italy, Denmark, India, Spain, and Sweden. Theoretical models and literature analysis and review informed initial item generation. Then, a Delphi process with purposefully selected international experts across three rounds refined the item list based on clarity, essentiality, and relevance, achieving consensus on a final set of items. Finally, pilot testing with purposefully selected 25 students assessed face validity and clarity.
Results
The preliminary phase led to 130 items. Delphi rounds reduced the initial 130 items to a refined set of 39 (13 items on attitudes, 26 on skills). Content Validity Index (CVI) scores for clarity and relevance were high (S-CVI/Ave = 0.93 for clarity, 1.0 for relevance). From the pilot test among 25 students, items scored an average clarity of 0.84 (I-CVI). Two items were removed, resulting in a final 37-item questionnaire (12 attitudes, 25 skills).
Discussion
The developed questionnaire bridges a gap in nursing education assessment. Emphasizing attitudes and skills, it addresses key areas such as understanding family dynamics, emotional support, and collaborative planning with caregivers, aligning with nursing education needs across diverse cultural contexts. The use of this instrument will support educational programs in enhancing family-centered care competencies of undergraduate nursing students, ultimately improving support for family caregivers in healthcare settings.
期刊介绍:
Nurse Education Today is the leading international journal providing a forum for the publication of high quality original research, review and debate in the discussion of nursing, midwifery and interprofessional health care education, publishing papers which contribute to the advancement of educational theory and pedagogy that support the evidence-based practice for educationalists worldwide. The journal stimulates and values critical scholarly debate on issues that have strategic relevance for leaders of health care education.
The journal publishes the highest quality scholarly contributions reflecting the diversity of people, health and education systems worldwide, by publishing research that employs rigorous methodology as well as by publishing papers that highlight the theoretical underpinnings of education and systems globally. The journal will publish papers that show depth, rigour, originality and high standards of presentation, in particular, work that is original, analytical and constructively critical of both previous work and current initiatives.
Authors are invited to submit original research, systematic and scholarly reviews, and critical papers which will stimulate debate on research, policy, theory or philosophy of nursing and related health care education, and which will meet and develop the journal''s high academic and ethical standards.