Validation of an educational manual for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy

Abstract

Objective: to validate the content and appearance of an educational manual for breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Method: methodological research, which had the Theory of Psychometry as a theoretical-methodological reference. The minimum 80% Concordance Index was considered to ensure the adequacy of the material. The sample consisted of 17 experts in the subject area of the educational manual and 12 patients previously submitted to radiotherapy due to the diagnosis of breast cancer. Results: two items of the expert evaluation tool were found to have a concordance index <80%. The other items were considered adequate and/or totally adequate in the three blocks of analysis proposed for the experts: objectives - 89.07%, structure and presentation - 92.94%, and relevance - 93.13%; and good and/or very good in the five blocks of analysis proposed for the patients: objectives, organization, writing style, appearance, and motivation, all with 100% agreement rate. Conclusion: the educational manual, after having been perfected based on the suggestions of the sample and the scientific literature, was considered valid according to its content and appearance, suggesting its contribution to the clinical practice of nursing and to the understanding of the treatment to which patients with breast cancer are submitted.