title: Revision and psychometric properties of the caring assessment tool.
abstract: Evaluation of the Caring Assessment Tool (CAT) is essential for its use in the monitoring and ongoing improvement of patient-nurse relationships. This descriptive, prospective study evaluated the dimensionality and internal reliability of the instrument in a sample of hospitalized adults. In addition, reduction of items was achieved, lessening clinical and administrative burden. Data were collected from 1,111 patients in 12 U.S. hospitals in 4 geographically distinct regions. A single factor explained 73% of the variance in the construct and the number of items was reduced to 27. Internal consistency remained high (a = .97). Patient-nurse relationship data were collected safely and efficiently from hospitalized patients using a paper-and-pencil approach. The CAT holds promise for providing acute care registered nurses with the information they need to deliver reliable patient-centered care.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Duffy
authors.forename: Barbara B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D011594:Psychometrics; D014481:United States