Development of a Scale to Assess Collaboration between Nurses and Psychiatrists in Oral Health Care and Examination of Validity

Abstract

 The present study was conducted to develop a scale to assess collaboration between nurses and psychiatrists in oral health care. A factor analysis (principal factor method, varimax rotation, cumulative contribution rate: 56.3%) of data obtained from 143 nurses was conducted, and the “scale for the assessment of collaboration between nurses and psychiatrists in oral health care”, consisting of 15 items and two factors, was developed.

 Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.899, which supports its internal consistency. Cronbach’s α coefficient of each factor was α=0.918 for 13 items of the first factor [exchange of information and opinions on oral health care] and α=0.964 for two items of the second factor [requests for collaboration], which suggests that their internal consistency has been established.

 The external criterion was the “scale for the assessment of collaboration between hospital nurses and dentists in oral health care” for the self-assessment of collaboration between nurses and dentists in oral health care. There was a correlation (r=0.581, p<0.01) between the “scale for the assessment of collaboration between nurses and psychiatrists in oral health care” and this scale as its external criterion, which suggests that the criterion-related validity has been established.

 The results suggest that the reliability and validity of the scale have been established.