Performance of the Family Satisfaction with the End-of-Life Care (FAMCARE) measure in an ethnically diverse cohort: psychometric analyses using item response theory.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The Family Satisfaction with End-of-Life Care (FAMCARE) has been used widely among caregivers to individuals with cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of this measure using item response theory (IRT).

Methods

The analytic sample was comprised of caregivers to 1,983 patients with advanced cancer. Among the patients, 56 % were females, with mean age 59.9 years (s.d. = 11.8), 20 % were non-Hispanic Black. The majority were family members either living with (44 %) or not living with (35 %) the patient. Factor analyses and IRT were used to examine the dimensionality, information, and reliability of the FAMCARE.

Results

Although a bi-factor model fit the data slightly better than did a unidimensional model, the loadings on the

SUBMITTER: Teresi JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4151612 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature