Global Interprofessional Therapeutic Communication Scale© Short Form (GITCS©): Feasibility Testing in Canada
Suzanne Campbell, Natália D. Aredes, Kymberley Bontinen, Yujin Lim, C. duManoir, Thayanthini Tharmaratnam, Lee-Anne Stephen
Abstract
BackgroundThis quantitative research tested the psychometric properties of the Global Interprofessional Therapeutic Communication Scale© (GITCS©) used to measure the health communication skills of nursing students at multiple schools in Canada.MethodsA train-the-trainer process was developed for faculty to learn the purpose, use, and analysis of GITCS© and qualitative data for the evaluation of the usability of the scale.ResultsAfter expert analysis of the 35-items, validated in a previous study, a 28-item version was tested. Statistical results confirmed the shortened scale as reliable and valid (Cronbach alpha = 0.932). A confirmatory factor analysis using a second-order model containing the latent variable “therapeutic relationship” and three subfactors (empathy, trust/rapport, and power-sharing) maintained the initial construct.ConclusionsCategorized items based on flow of the interaction allowed easier scale completion. Students and faculty feedback reinforced the scale's usefulness for therapeutic communication education, assessment, and application to practice in observer roles or for individual reflection.