| Learning Objective #1: Identify the steps involved in developing a general measure of functional status for statewide resource planning purposes | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Evaluate the usefulness of a measure for planning resource allocation |
Objective: To develop a general measure/categorization of individual-needs assessment based on function for the purpose of planning resources for the state.
Design: A psychometric study of the Texas Instrument of Functional Assessment (TIFA) conducted in four phases.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years: The population included persons receiving long-term care services from the state. Two samples were used at two testing periods (516,1238). These samples included persons from nursing homes, private homes, state schools and group homes. The study was conducted during 1998-2002.
Concept or Variables Studied: The reliability and validity of a general functional assessment.
Methods: Phase 1. Development of items involved stakeholders from various long-term care programs and consumer advocates. A field test was then conducted. Phase 2. Revisions to the TIFA were based on applicability to young children. Two experts in child development provided specific developmental age items. Item format and scoring procedures were also modified. Phase 3. Field-testing the revised TIFA. Phase 4. Migrating the TIFA to a handheld device. Reliability testing included inter-rater and internal consistency. Validity testing included factor analytic techniques and concurrent validity using other measures.
Findings: The Phase 1 field-testing revealed excellent internal consistency (.83-.94) and inter-rater reliability (.95-1.0). Evidence of validity was revealed in the structure of the TIFA and moderate relationships (.57-.68) with 3 existing assessment instruments used in some agencies. Phase 3 findings were similar. Phase 4 found the association between the two forms of administering the TIFA to be .94.
Conclusions: The TIFA has very good internal consistency reliability, very good inter-rater reliability and evidence for both structural and concurrent validity. In addition the paper or handheld device versions are essentially equivalent.
Implications: The TIFA can be applied to long-term care clients in the state of Texas. Additional testing is in process to verify the categories of resource utilization.
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Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003