Coordination of primary healthcare networks: Semantic validation of an adapted instrument

Abstract

This cross-sectional study conducted a semantic validation of the instrument for evaluating the coordination of primary care networks, adapted to the evaluation checklist on the degree of integration of healthcare networks, considering each item’s relevance, coherence, and comprehension by the study’s reference population. The sample consisted of 56 healthcare professionals that work in the Family Health Strategy in Alfenas, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The instrument has five dimensions and 78 items with Likert-type responses. The process involved three stages: evaluation and adaptation of the items by a group of experts, evaluation and suggestions for the items by 50 health professionals, and confirmation of the items by six health professionals. The instrument’s items proved comprehensible for the reference population. The instrument can be a useful tool to back decision-making by policymakers in reorganizing local health systems.