A study examining the appropriateness of a self-rated alcohol-related clinical confidence tool as a method of measurement among registered hospital nurses using Rasch analysis.

AIMS: This paper is a report of a study, which seeks to determine if self-reported estimates of RNs' self-rated confidence in responding to alcohol use in patients is a psychometrically sound measure. BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related harm is a global public health problem. Nurses are the largest group of health professionals worldwide, with evidence showing that despite being well placed to respond, they are not engaging in this important role. DESIGN: Instrument development. METHOD: The study was a survey set in a large teaching hospital in England, UK. The Clinical Confidence Questionnaire was made available to a convenience sample of 200 RNs in 2007, with a response rate of 22%. Rasch analysis was used to develop a scale for future learning based on the conjoint estimates of registered hospital nurses abilities to meet needs of patients requiring nursing care of different complexities related to alcohol use in patients. RESULTS: Outcomes verify that registered hospital nurses' self-rated clinical confidence measures for their own nursing abilities in responding to alcohol use in patients can be reliably estimated and a hierarchical scale of learning can be generated to inform curricula content and learning processes. CONCLUSION: Current health policy in the UK identifies nurses as having a role in responding to alcohol-related harm. More focus should, therefore, be placed on ensuring that they are prepared to fully engage with patients in assessing and responding to alcohol use through specific education, training and skill development. The self-rated clinical confidence tool offers evidence as an acceptable method of measurement in this area.