Purpose: to assess the psychometric properties of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS).
Conceptual framework: The attributes of readiness for hospital discharge were identified through literature review and input from nurse clinicians. Readiness for Hospital Discharge is conceptualized as having a dimensional structure that includes: Personal Wellbeing, Knowledge, Perceived Coping Ability, Expected Support.
Subjects: Postpartum mothers; Adult medical-surgical patients; and Parents of hospitalized children. 120 subjects in each sample group.
Methods: During a larger study of predictors and outcomes of readiness for discharge, the RHDS was administered within 4 hours of hospital discharge. Data for known group comparisons were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire. Data for predictive validity assessment were collected at 3 weeks post-discharge and included measures of post-discharge coping difficulty and post-discharge utilization of health services. Data collection is in progress and will be completed by 12/04.
Analysis: Construct validity will be assessed using principal components factor analysis. The 3 sample groups will be merged for factor analysis. Suitability of the data for factor analysis will be assessed through item statistics, communalities, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test of sampling adequacy, Barlett’s test of sphericity, and scree plot. Known Groups comparisons will include comparison of RHDS scores by age, gender, race, living arrangement, education, socioeconomic status). Predictive validity will be assessed by regression of post-discharge coping on RHDS scores and by comparisons of RHDS scores by type and amount of utilization of post-discharge health services.
Implications: The results of this study have implications for further development of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale for use in research and clinical practice.
Session #1219 - Poster Session I
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)