Development of a Competency Scale for Nurses Supporting the Lives of Older Adults in Japanese Community-Based Integrated Care.

ObjectivesThe study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of a Competency Scale for Nurses Supporting the Lives of Older Adults in Japanese Community-Based Integrated Care.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used a preliminary 36-item scale administered to 296 nurses working in community-based integrated care. Construct validity was examined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Criterion-related validity was assessed by examining correlations with existing scales. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach's α and test-retest reliability.ResultsA total of 285 valid responses were obtained. Item analysis excluded 15 items, leaving 21 items. Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors comprising 12 items. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated acceptable model fit (goodness-of-fit index [GFI] = 0.931, adjusted GFI = 0.886, comparative fit index = 0.969, root mean square error of approximation = 0.054). Correlations with external scales ranged from r = 0.252 to 0.750. The overall Cronbach's α was 0.852, and test-retest reliability was confirmed (r = 0.814, p < 0.01).ConclusionThe findings support the developed scale's reliability and validity. This scale may be useful for assessing nurses' competencies in community-based integrated care and identifying areas for professional development.