Development and validation of a scale for evaluating intermittent catheterization ability of family caregivers of patients with neurogenic bladders

In this study, we aimed to develop an assessment tool for the intermittent catheterization nursing ability of family caregivers of patients with neurogenic bladders and verify its psychometric characteristics. Using the Farran Comprehensive Care Skills Model as the theoretical framework and by integrating multiple methods, such as literature reviews, semi-structured interviews, group discussions, expert consultations, and pretests, an initial scale was developed. This study was a single-center, cross-sectional survey. A convenience sampling method was used to recruit 255 family caregivers of patients undergoing intermittent catheterization, and data were collected using a questionnaire. Item analysis, reliability tests, and validity tests were conducted to form a formal scale. The formal scale covered 4 dimensions: disease-related professional knowledge, intermittent catheterization care skills, symptom management ability, and psychosocial management ability, with a total of 21 items. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the cumulative variance contribution rate of the 4 common factors of the scale was 65.879%. The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the structural validity of the scale was reasonable; the content validity index at the item level was 0.833 to 1.000, and the average content validity index at the scale level was 0.952; the Cronbach α coefficient of the total scale was 0.889, and the split-half reliability was 0.754. The assessment tool for intermittent catheterization nursing ability of family caregivers of patients with neurogenic bladders developed in this study is commendable. Based on exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, together with multidimensional testing, the scale has demonstrated good reliability and validity and is suitable for the clinical assessment of the catheterization nursing competency of family caregivers.