Clinical trials have shown significant treatment effects of home visiting interventions in some, but not all cases. What remains unknown is what occurs during the Nurse-Client Relationship (NCR) during these interventions and what impact this has on outcomes. Studying the NCR, especially from the perspective of the client, will help to identify aspects of effective home visiting interventions. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of Nurse-CARES, consisting of two scales, the Ideal scale (clients' preferences) and the Perceived scale (clients' judgments about what occurred during the relationship with a nurse). Items were developed based on the NCR qualities of control, trust building, strength building, teaching, responding to uniqueness and professional skill. Data were collected via a mailed survey in NE Wisconsin through the cooperation of seven local public health agencies. Participants were 18 years of age or over and had at least one home visit from a public health nurse for MCH reasons. The rate of return was 64.7% (n=431). Item analysis resulted in a 15-item Ideal scale (alpha=.66) and a 43-item Perceived scale (alpha=.96). Principle Component Analysis for the scales identified six underlying components with items loading into more than one component. This was consistent with the scale development process where six interrelated qualities were used for item development. An additional assessment of construct validity for the perceived scale was the correlation (r=.78) with an empathic understanding measure.
Learning Objectives: 1) To assess the psychometric properties of Nurse-CARES, consisting of two scales, the Ideal scale (clients' preferences), and 2) To assess the Perceived scale (clients' judgments about what occurred during the relationship with a nurse)
Keywords: Patient Perspective, Nurses
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.