Psychometric Characteristics of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS): A Validation Study

Quality care in healthcare settings shortens hospitalization, reduces infection rates and complication risks, and improves patients' ability to manage their symptoms. Due to the absence of tools for assessing care quality in Italian oncology settings, this study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Quality of Oncology Nursing Care Scale (QONCS).

The study comprised 4 phases. Phase I involved cultural adaptation of the QONCS following Brislin's model. In phase II, 6 external experts assessed the instrument's face and content validities. In phase III, a cross-sectional study was conducted at 3 hospitals from February to September 2023. In phase IV, factor analyses were performed using exploratory structural equation modeling.

The 5-dimensional structure of the adapted QONCS showed a good fit based on the following statistics: χ² (324, N = 219) = 704.690, P < .001; root mean square error of approximation = 0.059 (90% confidence interval [CI] = 0.52-0.66), P < .001; comparative fit index = 0.935; Tucker-Lewis index = 0.908; standardized root mean square residual = 0.026. McDonald's ω (0.968) indicated satisfactory internal consistency. The test-retest reliability demonstrated a high and significant positive correlation. Correlation analysis revealed that age, marital status, and employment status were significantly and positively associated with the QONCS score.

This study confirms the validity and reliability of the QONCS. We recommend using the QONCS to thoroughly assess nursing care quality and identify factors that influence the delivery of high-quality care in oncology settings.

Our findings highlight the value of the QONCS in helping nurses assess and improve perceived care quality among patients with cancer. Valid and reliable tools, such as the QONCS, are crucial for guiding policies to enhance patient care.