Instrument development to measure nursing work intensification

Abstract

Objective To describe the process of developing and validating instrument content to measure nursing work intensification. Methods This is a methodological study carried out in five of the eight steps proposed by DeVellis. I - Determine clearly what it is you want to measure; II – Generate an item pool; III - Determine the format of the measurement; IV - Have initial item pool reviewed by experts; V - Consider inclusion of validation items. Data production took place in the second half of 2021. Participants were 18 nursing workers in the exploratory step (elaboration of items), 12 PhD holders who made up the committee of judges/experts and 43 nursing workers in the pre-testing step. Data processing occurred mainly by calculating the Content Validity Index. Results The instrument is organized into 60 items, arranged in seven domains: Interface with work; Pace and demands of work; Conditions for work; Interprofessional relationships; Institutional aspects; Repercussions of work on worker health; Patients’ clinical conditions. The Content Validity Index ranged from 0.44 to 1.00, with items with a value lower than 0.80 being excluded. In pre-testing with the target population, this measure varied from 0.90 to 1.00. The instrument in its complete formation presented an overall assessment of 0.95. Conclusion The instrument was considered valid by the committee of judges/experts and by the target population, constituting an innovative tool to be used to measure nursing work intensification.