Evaluating a revised self-efficacy scale for preoperative patients

Nurses conduct preoperative teaching to help patients cope with the adversities of surgery. Self-efficacy can predict an individual's behavior in aversive situations (eg, surgery); therefore, assessing patients' self-efficacy is one way perioperative nurses can plan patient care and help patients through the surgical experience. This study expands on the results of a previous evaluation of a preoperative self-efficacy scale. The content and face validity of the revised 15-item scale used in this study were assessed before the instrument was administered to preoperative patients. Evidence supports the validity of the multidimensional instrument. Internal consistency estimates > or = .84 support the subscales' reliability.