Development and Validation of Oral Chemotherapy Self-Management Scale

Abstract

Abstract Background With the widespread used of orally administered anticancer agents, the self-management is important for patients with oral chemotherapy, because it’s occurs in the home environment, not clinic settings.Methods OCSMS items were developed through literature review, semi-structured interviews, research seminar and Delphi survey. Their content validity, internal consistency, split-half, test-retest reliability and construct validity were assessed.Results A 36-item scale was developed with five dimensions identified through factor analysis: daily life management, symptom management, medication management, emotional cognitive managemen and social support. Cronbach’s coefficient Alpha, split-half coefficient, test-retest reliability and average content validity index (CVI) scores were 0.929, 0.773, 0.966 and 0.833, respectively, indicating that OCSMS has good reliability and validity.Conclusions The OCSMS is a valid, reliable measurement method of the self-management ability of patients with oral chemotherapy. The OCSMS shows potential as a tool to ensure the safety of patients with cancer. The OCSMS may help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve the self-management ability of patients.