Comparing the Structured Multidisciplinary work Evaluation Tool (SMET) questionnaire with technical measurements of physical workload in certified nursing assistants in a medical ward setting

Structured Multidisciplinary work Evaluation Tool (SMET) questionnaire: Translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Persian version

BACKGROUND

To assess relevant environmental conditions in any work-setting requires a multidisciplinary perspective that is practical, valid, and reliable. This includes the physical, environmental, and psychosocial risk-factors. The Structured Multidisciplinary work Evaluation Tool (SMET) questionnaire simultaneously considers multiple work-related demands.

OBJECTIVE

This study translated and culturally adapted the SMET into Persian and evaluated its psychometric properties in Persian industrial workers.

METHODS

Cross-sectional translation and cross-cultural adaptation in five standardized phases. A convenience sample (n = 211) recruited from an industrial-occupation setting completed: the SMET; and the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) criteria; plus light and noise levels were concurrently assessed. Psychometric properties included: validity, with face (from confirmed language clarity, simplicity, and readability), content (via the content validity index, CVI, for equivalency and relevancy), criterion (through Pearson's r correlation with relevant criteria), and construct (through known group validity between participants with/without work-related musculoskeletal disorders, WMSDs); internal consistency (Cronbach's α); and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC2.1).

RESULTS

Validity was confirmed with: face through the adaptation; content from suitable CVI values for items (CVI range = 0.78-1.0) and scale-total (CVI = 0.86); criterion from SMET associations with levels for light (r = - 0.42) and noise (r = 0.21), plus RULA (r = 0.42) and NASA-TLX (r = 0.39); and construct through participants with WMSD having significantly higher SMET total-scores (p = 0.01). Internal consistency (α= 0.89) and reliability (ICC2.1 = 0.87) were acceptable and strong.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the SMET Persian version had acceptable psychometric properties in an industrial occupational setting. Further investigation in longitudinal populations is recommended.

Further psychometric evaluation of the Structured Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool (SMET) questionnaire: Practical implications in healthcare settings

BACKGROUND

Scientific research has identified a lack of psychometrically well-tested methods for evaluation of the work environment in healthcare settings. The Structured Multidisciplinary Work Evaluation Tool (SMET) questionnaire has been evaluated and has shown good content validity, as well as intra-rater and test-retest reliability. There are, however, still unknowns regarding the psychometric properties. If the SMET questionnaire is to be used in practical occupational health service (OHS) work and scientific research in healthcare settings, further psychometric evaluation is needed.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to gain further understanding of the psychometric properties of the SMET questionnaire when used in research and clinical OHS practice in healthcare settings.

METHODS

The psychometric evaluation was conducted using classical test theory (Cronbach's alpha, explorative factor analysis) and Rasch analysis (measurement targeting, category threshold order, person separation index) on data previously collected in development projects within the healthcare sector.

RESULTS

The results support the use of the SMET questionnaire as a psychometrically well-tested method for evaluation of the work environment in healthcare settings. They support the use of the initial 1-10 scale since all 10 steps are used. The results also support the trichotomization procedure since the trichotomized scale captures the construct of the work environment with good measurement targeting and good category threshold order.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study support the use of the SMET questionnaire as a psychometrically well-tested method for a broad multifactorial evaluation of the work environment in healthcare settings.

Administration approaches of nursing assistants in hospitals: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

The administration of nursing assistants (NAs) is closely associated with patient outcomes, but studies evaluating intrahospital administration of NAs are limited. This study aimed to identify existing literature on intrahospital NAs' administration approaches.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, CNKI, APA PsycInfo, Wanfang Med, SinoMed, Ovid Emcare, NICE, AHRQ, CADTH, JBI EBP and Cochrane DSR were searched for articles published between January 2011 and March 2022.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES

Qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method studies and evidence syntheses that evaluate administration approaches, models and appraisal tools of intrahospital NAs were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Two independent reviewers conducted search, data selection and data extraction according to Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and methodology for scoping review. The quality of included studies was assessed using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool or AMSTAR V.2. Data were synthesised using narrative methods and frequency effect size analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-six studies were eligible, with acceptable quality. We identified 1 administration model, 9 administration methods, 15 educational programmes and 7 appraisal tools from the included studies. The frequency effect size analysis yielded 15 topics of the main focus at four levels, suggesting that included articles were mainly (33%) focused on the competency of NAs, and the lectures were the most (80%) used strategy in quality improvement projects. Evidence from the studies was of low-to-moderate quality, indicating huge gaps between evidence-based research and management practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Practical intrahospital administration approaches were revealed, and fifteen primarily focused topics were identified. We should explore this area more thoroughly using structured frameworks and standardised methodology. This scoping review will help managers find more effective ways to improve the quality of care. Researchers may focus more on evidence-based practice in NA administration using the 15 topics as a breakthrough.