Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale. Methods: In February 2012, we conducted a postal mail survey on 194 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in a hospital in Hokkaido, Japan. Participants were asked to complete the questionnaire at 2 different times approximately 2 weeks apart. Items for the scale were selected using item-total correlation and good-poor analysis. Reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis. Results: Valid responses from 94 nurses were subjected to analysis. The best-fitting factor structure was found to have 9 items loading on one factor. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for this factor was 0.90. The test-retest reliability was acceptable (ICC=0.65). Conclusion: The Japanese version of the Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale was found to have good reliability and validity. Further studies will be required to evaluate the reliability and validity of this scale in other hospital settings and in mixed-profession groups.