Psychometric properties of an instrument to measure facilitators and barriers to nurses' participation in continuing education programs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Continuing education programs are one of the professional principles in health-related disciplines, including nursing. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument measuring facilitators and barriers to nurses' participation in continuing education programs. METHODS: In the first phase, the items generated for the instrument were drawn from a comprehensive literature review along with a polling of experts. Then the psychometric properties were measured. RESULTS: A Scale-Level Content Validity Index of 0.90 for the primary instrument with 36 items was obtained. The factor structure of inventory was identified by undertaking a Principal Component Analysis in a sample of 361 nurses. Three factors were extracted with a total variance account of 62.67%. Reliability was demonstrated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient = 0.92. Consistency of instrument was established with test-retest reliability (Intra Cluster Correlation = 0.93, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The major focus of this study was to develop a locally sensitive instrument to assess the facilitators and barriers to Iranian nurses' participation in continuing education programs.