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Development and psychometric evaluation of a learning needs assessment tool for
healthcare professionals in palliative dementia care: A cross-sectional study
#MMPMID41341123
Int J Nurs Stud Adv
2025[Dec]; 9
(?): 100455
PMID41341123
show ga
BACKGROUND: Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life of individuals
with chronic, life-limiting diseases like dementia. Self-assessment by healthcare
professionals of their learning needs helps to identify areas for improvement and
enhance care provision. To support this, the Desired Dementia Care Towards End of
Life (DEDICATED) questionnaire was developed; a self-assessment tool for
measuring healthcare professionals' skill development needs. OBJECTIVE: To
describe the development of the questionnaire and examine its psychometric
properties. DESIGN: Quantitative cross-sectional psychometric evaluation.
SETTINGS: Data was collected in nursing homes, hospital wards, and home care
organizations providing palliative care to people with dementia in the
Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: The questionnaire was developed by healthcare
professionals and researchers. Psychometric evaluation was then conducted with
332 Dutch healthcare professionals, divided over two samples. METHODS: Scientific
literature and expert input were used to develop the questionnaire, which then
underwent feasibility testing and psychometric evaluation. Construct validity was
assessed via exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Inter-item
correlations were used to evaluate convergent validity, and item-factor
correlations to assess discriminant validity. Reliability was tested using
item-total correlations, Cronbach's alpha, and McDonald's omega. Ceiling effects
and the tool's ability to differentiate outcomes across healthcare professions
were assessed with ANOVA. Pearson's correlation was used to assess concurrent
validity between the questionnaire and the End-of-Life Professional Caregiver
Survey. RESULTS: The 29-item questionnaire showed strong internal consistency,
with a mean Cronbach's alpha of .89 and McDonald's omega of .90. Factor analysis
identified five factors, explaining 71.68 % variance: (1) Familiarization with
the person with dementia, (2) Timing for advance care planning, (3) Healthcare
professional's role in advance care planning, (4) Interprofessional
collaboration, and (5) Managing pain and responsive behavior. Statistically
significant differences between nurses and nurse assistants suggest the
questionnaire was able to differentiate outcomes across healthcare professions
(mean difference = 6.15, 95 % CI: .15 to 12.2, p = .042). A moderate positive
correlation was found between the questionnaire and End-of-Life Professional
Caregiver Survey (r = .33, 95 % CI: .13 to .50, p = .002). CONCLUSION: The
DEDICATED questionnaire shows promising psychometric properties and could support
the needs of healthcare professionals in providing palliative care for people
with dementia. REGISTRATION: Not Registered.
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