Psychometric evaluation of the Spanish version of the physiotherapy critical thinking in clinical practice questionnaire

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim was to adapt and validate the Nursing Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice Questionnaire of 109 items in four dimensions, for its application in physiotherapists in Spain.DesignDescriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter psychometric study carried out in two phases: phase 1, adaptation of the Nursing Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice Questionnaire to the physiotherapy setting and analysis of its content validity; phase 2, evaluation of the psychometric properties of the new instrument.SettingPhysiotherapists from a variety of work environments (public and private hospitals, geriatric institutions, home care services, clinics, and primary care, social health, educational and sports centers).ParticipantsA sample of 235 physiotherapists participated, of whom 108 completed the questionnaire for a second time after a two-week interval.Main measuresConstruct validity was analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, convergent validity and discriminant validity; reliability was analyzed using internal consistency and temporal stability (test-retest method).ResultsThe Average Scale Content Validity Index of 0.96 indicated high content validity. Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed the four-dimensional structure on which the original questionnaire is based, with acceptable model fit indices. Cronbach's alpha for the total questionnaire was 0.97, reaching values above 0.70 in each of the dimensions. Lin's Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was 0.71.ConclusionsThe Physiotherapy Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice Questionnaire showed appropriate psychometric properties. Its use among Spanish physiotherapists is recommended.ClinicalTrials.gov IdentifierNCT05059483.URLhttps://clinicaltrials.gov.

Keywords: Clinical decision-making; critical thinking; evidence-based practice; physical therapy specialty; psychometrics; surveys and questionnaires.