title: Development and validation of the Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy scale for cancer (CASE-cancer).
abstract: We sought to develop a reliable and valid measure of patient self-efficacy within the context of productive communication and positive attitude for cancer patients. A set of 19 potential items for the Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy scale for cancer (CASE-cancer) was pilot tested with 50 cancer patients. Based on the pilot test, item valence was made consistent (i.e., all items worded positively) and the response scale was simplified. The CASE-cancer was then administered to 127 persons receiving cancer treatment at general oncology clinics in Shreveport, Louisiana and Chicago, Illinois. Psychometric analyses revealed three 4-item factors: understanding and participating in care, maintaining a positive attitude, and seeking and obtaining information. The CASE-cancer proved to have high internal consistency and construct validity. Moreover, scale items performed similarly across literacy levels. The CASE-cancer is a psychometrically-sound tool that may provide new information on important mediating factors of cancer care. Our two-step approach to presenting response options may also provide a model for helping lower literate patients more accurately respond to survey items.
authors.affiliation: Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Chih-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Makoul
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002641:Chicago; D003142:Communication; D032882:Comprehension; D004522:Educational Status; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012803:Sick Role; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*