Primary care functioning scale showed validity and reliability in patients with chronic conditions: a psychometric...

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Psychometrics
• Primary Care Research

Background:

• Chronic conditions require patient-centered care approaches.
• Existing tools may not fully capture patient functioning in primary care settings.
• The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) provides a framework for assessing functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly developed Primary Care Functioning Scale (PCFS).
• To determine if the PCFS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing functioning in patients with chronic conditions.
• To establish the PCFS's suitability for a person-centered approach in primary care.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 582 patients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or chronic pulmonary disease.
• The Primary Care Functioning Scale (PCFS), based on the ICF framework, was administered.
• Psychometric analyses included testing for unidimensionality, reliability, stability, and criterion-related validity.

Main Results:

• The PCFS demonstrated unidimensionality for the 'body functions, activities and participation' item set.
• The scale exhibited good reliability (Cronbach's alpha > 0.80) and stability over time.
• No bias was found related to background variables, indicating robust criterion-related validity.

Conclusions:

• The Primary Care Functioning Scale (PCFS) is a valid and reliable instrument.
• The PCFS supports a person-centered approach to measuring functioning in primary care.
• The PCFS is suitable for patients with chronic conditions in primary care settings.