Lithuanian version of the Nursing Outcomes Classification Use Survey: development and psychometric evaluation

Abstract

Cross-cultural tests and research instruments are broadly used to adapt questionnaires developed in different countries and cultures. The Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)--a comprehensive, standardized classification of patient outcomes--can be used to evaluate the results of nursing interventions. OBJECTIVE: To develop and test psychometrically the Lithuanian version of the Nursing Outcomes Classification Use Survey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Lithuanian version of the Nursing Outcomes Classification Use Survey was developed following traditional methodological procedures of research instrument translation and adaptation. The newly developed instrument was tested with a sample of 70 staff nurses from nursing and supportive care hospitals. The content and practical feasibility of the Lithuanian version of NOC was measured for its reliability and validity. Psychometric analysis was conducted with the statistical package SPSS 13.0 for Windows. Results revealed a successful translation of NOC from English to Lithuanian with validity and acceptability of a shortened Lithuanian version (244 items instead of the original 330 items). Satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach alpha >0.80 in 18 classes and in 6 classes out of 28 Cronbach alpha between 0.70 and 0.80) was defined, and stability in time was very good with a 7-day break between repeated translations (Spearman-Brown coefficient for the whole instrument was 0.806, ranging from 0.707 to 0.970). The majority of items in the Lithuanian version correlated with measurement class (correlation coefficients >0.40). CONCLUSIONS: The Lithuanian version of Nursing Outcomes Classification Use Survey is a reliable, valid, and applicable to outcome identification in clinical practice and nursing research. Future research and further evaluation of the newly developed Lithuanian version of NOC is suggested.