Oncology patients' perceptions of the good nurse: an explorative study on the psychometric properties of the Flemish adaptation of the Care-Q instrument

Aims and objectives. The aims of this study were to translate the Care-Q into Dutch, adapt it for use in oncological care settings in Flanders and explore its psychometric properties in oncology patients. Background. The 'good nurse' is a difficult concept to measure. Patients' experiences are essential for understanding what characterises good nurses in the oncology setting. Although the Care-Q is one of the most widely used instruments to measure cancer patients' perceptions of good nurses, no translated, validated instrument has been developed for Flanders. Design. A quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental research design was used. Method. We translated the Care-Q into Dutch, adapted it and assessed its face and content validity. Its psychometric properties were examined in 100 oncology patients. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and test-retest reliability was assessed using Wilcoxon matched pairs test and Spearman's rho coefficient. Factor structure was studied using explorative factor analysis derived from principal component analysis with varimax rotation, and the user-friendliness was examined using descriptive statistics. Results. Several items from the original Care-Q were removed or adapted, and new items were added. The content validity index was 0.83. Five reliable, consistent and meaningful subscales were identified that explained 49.7% of the total variance: good nurses are empathic (towards patients and family), professional, patient-centred, respectful and communicative. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 for the whole instrument and 0.65-0.81 for the subscales. User-friendliness was deemed favourable. Conclusions. The Flemish adaptation of the Care-Q has favourable psychometric properties. It appears to be a useful instrument for studying cancer patients' perceptions of good nurses in Flanders. Relevance to clinical practice. The Flemish adaptation of the Care-Q is useful for helping nurses to reflect critically on the care they offer and to adapt and improve care to the real needs and expectations of patients with cancer.