Psychometric Assessment of the Nursing Outcome Swallowing Status: Rasch Model Approach.

PURPOSE: To apply the Rasch model to test the psychometric assessment of the nursing outcome Swallowing status among poststroke patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted with 227 poststroke patients, which were evaluated by a nurse. The Rasch model was used to examine psychometric properties. FINDINGS: Indicators fit the Rasch model and presented good reliability and good ability for separation index. The 5-point Likert scale did not present adequate discrimination and classification levels were compiled into three. CONCLUSIONS: Data evidenced the use of a robust method to perform a clinical validity of the Swallowing status, complementing previous validation studies. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Using Rasch analysis serve as reference points to assess Swallowing status on a single scale. OBJETIVO: Aplicar o modelo Rasch para testar as medidas psicométricas do resultado de enfermagem Estado da deglutição em pacientes acometidos por acidente vascular cerebral. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, realizado com 227 pacientes após AVC avaliados por um único enfermeiro. O modelo Rasch foi usado para examinar propriedades psicométricas. RESULTADOS: Os indicadores se ajustaram ao modelo Rasch e apresentam boa confiabilidade e boa capacidade de separação. A escala Likert de 5 pontos não apresentou discriminação adequada e os níveis de classificação foram compilados em três pontos. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados evidenciaram o uso de um método robusto para a validade clínica do Estado da deglutição, complementando os estudos de validação anteriores. RELEVÂNCIA PARA A PRÁTICA CLÍNICA: O uso do modelo Rasch serve como ponto de referência para avaliar o Estado da deglutição em uma única escala.

Stress in the professional practice of oncology nurses.

Oncology nurses have been identified as a group at risk for stress. This project aimed at identifying stress-generating situations. There was an attempt at identifying stressful situations through the application of a stress evaluation scale (Stressor Scale for Pediatric Oncology Nursing) (Hinds et al, Cancer Nurs. 1990;13:354-360). In the opinion of 35 oncology nurses, 88.57% of whom were women and 73% of whom had more than 24 months of experience, 38 out of the 50 analyzed statements involving work situations were considered stressful in some way. Fifty-four percent of the statements disclosed a medium or high stressor capacity, and 22% were seen as extremely high stressors. These situations were included in the categories "work organization," "relationships among staff members," and "care restrictions." It is reiterated that the set of activities developed by oncology nurses is stressful, and that there is a need for institutional intervention, due to the narrow relation between work environment and care results.