title: Development and psychometric testing of the clinical networks engagement tool.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical networks are being used widely to facilitate large system transformation in healthcare, by engagement of stakeholders throughout the health system. However, there are no available instruments that measure engagement in these networks.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study purpose was to develop and assess the measurement properties of a multiprofessional tool to measure engagement in clinical network initiatives. Based on components of the International Association of Public Participation Spectrum and expert panel review, we developed 40 items for testing. The draft instrument was distributed to 1,668 network stakeholders across different governance levels (leaders, members, support, frontline stakeholders) in 9 strategic clinical networks in Alberta (January to July 2014). With data from 424 completed surveys (25.4% response rate), descriptive statistics, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlations, linear regression, multivariate analysis, and Cronbach alpha were conducted to assess reliability and validity of the scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen items were retained in the instrument. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a four-factor solution and accounted for 85.7% of the total variance in engagement with clinical network initiatives: global engagement, inform (provided with information), involve (worked together to address concerns), and empower (given final decision-making authority). All subscales demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach alpha 0.87 to 0.99). Both the confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis confirmed that inform, involve, and empower were all significant predictors of global engagement, with involve as the strongest predictor. Leaders had higher mean scores than frontline stakeholders, while members and support staff did not differ in mean scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided foundational evidence for the use of this tool for assessing engagement in clinical networks. Further work is necessary to evaluate engagement in broader network functions and activities; to assess barriers and facilitators of engagement; and, to elucidate how the maturity of networks and other factors influence engagement.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3502-7671
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.|Department of Veterinary Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Kent G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Hecker
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Leora
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rabatach
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Tom W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Noseworthy
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Deborah E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult