Mixed-methods study to develop a patient complexity assessment instrument for district nurses
- 21 March 2016
- journal article
- research article
- Published by RCN Publishing Ltd. in Nurse Researcher
- Vol. 23 (4), 9-13
- https://doi.org/10.7748/nr.23.4.9.s3
Abstract
Background There is increasing reference to complex patient needs in health care. However, little is known about how to measure patient complexity or the relationship between it and district nursing activity. Aim To illustrate the use of group concept mapping (GCM) to conceptualise and develop items for a patient complexity assessment instrument to be used by district nurses. Discussion The first phase of this research used GCM conceptualisation and consensus methodology to identify items for a community-based patient complexity instrument. GCM helped to provide a conceptual understanding of community-based patient complexity through focused exploration of the term. Results indicated that a number of environmental, sociological, psychological, behavioural, physical and organisational factors needed to be included. This, in turn, showed that an existing taxonomy did not contain the relevant items. Consequently, amendments were made and a new instrument developed. Conclusion GCM is a suitable consensus method for use in nursing theory and developing instruments. It proved successful in achieving consensus with no loss of participants’ views. Implications for practice GCM is a suitable method for nurses to use in research or practice development activities as it is based on a facilitative and engagement-led approach.Keywords
This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Defining consensus: A systematic review recommends methodologic criteria for reporting of Delphi studiesJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2014
- Cumulative complexity: a functional, patient-centered model of patient complexity can improve research and practiceJournal of Clinical Epidemiology, 2012
- Nominal group technique: An effective method for obtaining group consensusInternational Journal of Nursing Practice, 2012
- Complexity, case-mix and rehabilitation: the importance of a holistic model of illnessClinical Rehabilitation, 2011
- METHODS AND MEASURES: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Multidimensional Scaling for Construct Validation of Cognitive AbilitiesInternational Journal of Behavioral Development, 2009
- Analysing and presenting qualitative dataBritish Dental Journal, 2008
- The use of concept mapping for scale development and validation in evaluationEvaluation and Program Planning, 2007
- Qualitative Concept Development: Implications for Nursing Research and KnowledgeNursing Forum, 2006
- Concept mapping: an introduction to structured conceptualization in health careInternational Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2005
- Factor analysis versus multi-dimensional scaling: binary choice roll-call voting and the US Supreme CourtSocial Networks, 2002