Development Study of the Medical Device Self-Efficacy Scale: A Validity and Reliability Study.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Medical Device Self-Efficacy Scale among nursing students. The scale assesses perceived competence in using medical devices and supports identifying educational needs.

Design: The study used an exploratory methodological design.

Methods: The study was conducted with 127 final-year nursing students between April and October 2023. Students completed the scale for three medical devices: a bedside monitor, an infusion pump, and a suction device. Content validity, construct validity, and criterion validity were evaluated. Construct validity was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, while reliability was assessed through Cronbach's α, item-total correlations, and test-retest methods.

Findings: The scale demonstrated good content validity with an index of 0.84. Exploratory factor analysis showed the scale is unidimensional with 12 items. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin values for each device exceeded 0.85, and the proportion of explained variance was above 65%. Factor loadings ranged from 0.602 to 0.899. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit for the hypothesized model (χ² = 103.637 to 183.4; χ²/df = 2.159 to 3.987; root mean square error of approximation = 0.065 to 0.076; goodness of fit index = 0.901 to 0.902; cognitive flexibility inventory = 0.918 to 0.957; normed fit index = 0.901 to 0.923; incremental fit index = 0.919 to 0.957). Reliability analyses showed that Cronbach's α coefficients were above 0.90, and high test-retest correlation coefficients further supported the scale's reliability (r = 0.744 to 0.795; P < .001).

Conclusions: The 12-item scale is reliable and valid for assessing nursing students' perceived competencies with medical devices.