Validación de la Escala de Incertidumbre ante la Enfermedad en cuidadores de pacientes en cuidados paliativos

Abstract

Introduction: The Uncertainty in Illness Scale is a tool available to nursing professionals to measure the uncertainty people experience in relation to their disease. Family caregivers of patients in palliative care experience high levels of uncertainty due to their relative’s condition. Currently there are no validated tools in the Spanish language to measure uncertainty in caregivers of patients in palliative care. Objectives: To adapt and validate the Uncertainty in Illness Scale, family caregiver version, in family caregivers of patients in palliative care, in the Spanish language and in the Colombian context. Materials and methods: A methodological study carried out in family caregivers of patients in palliative care. The adaptation and validation process encompassed three phases: 1) semantic and cultural adaptation with 20 family caregivers; 2) construct validity; 3) internal consistency. Data in the last two phases were collected from a sample of 300 caregivers. A confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and Cronbach’s alpha was used to test internal consistency. Results: During semantic adaptation item comprehension was rated 87 %. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed 4 factors that confirmed the instrument dimensions in the original version. However, 5 items were eliminated for lack of adjustment to the dimensions found. Regarding internal consistency, a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.72 was obtained for the total scale. Conclusion: The Uncertainty in Illness Scale has acceptable validity and reliability tests, and can be used in family caregivers of patients in palliative care in the Colombian context.