JOINT INTERNATIONAL IMEKO TC1+TC7+TC13 SYMPOSIUM: A Clinical Scale for Measuring Functional Caregiving of Children Assisted with Medical Technologies

摘要

A clinical scale with linear properties was constructed from a 76 item self-report questionnaire about mothers' confidence to provide complex medical care for children in their homes. Sample consisted of 53 mothers with children assisted by medical technology. Self-confidence ratings were scored with a five category rating scale. Mothers provided self ratings on a broad range of caregiving tasks across home, neighborhood, and community. Ratings were transformed to linear scale values with a Rasch model for rating scales. Overall parameterization was successful with minimal threats to dimensionality based on item and person fit analysis, as well as Principal Components Analysis of measurement model residuals. An iterative procedure reduced 76 items to 15 items with minimal loss of measurement properties.