This study aims to develop and validate the Scale for Partnership in Care between staff and families of older adult nursing home (NH) residents-for Family (SPIC-F). The components of partnership were identified on the basis of literature reviews and focus group interviews. The content validity of 41 preliminary items was verified by 10 experts, and a pilot study was conducted. The reliability and validity of the instrument was tested on 330 families of older adult NH residents. The final instrument comprised 20 items in three categories: professional caring and support, cooperative relationship and information sharing, and participation in care. Each item is rated on a four-point Likert scale, with total scores ranging from 20-80. The reliability of the instrument was 0.95, and test-retest ICC was 0.83. This instrument could be utilized to develop interventions to establish an efficient partnership and assess its outcomes.
Keywords: family caregivers; instrument development; nursing homes; older adults; partnership practice.