Validity Evidence for a Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process Self-Efficacy Scale (PPCP-SES) Among Pharmacy Students

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study was to further refine and examine validity evidence of an instrument assessing pharmacy students’ self-efficacy in implementing the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP) components.

Methods. An instrument was developed and pilot tested during Spring 2018 at one college of pharmacy. In Spring 2019, a modified instrument, the PPCP Self-Efficacy Scale (PPCP-SES) was administered to third year professional pharmacy (P3) students across seven institutions. Self-efficacy items were based on Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy and were rated on a continuous scale (0-100). Data analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results. Three hundred P3 students completed the PPCP-SES. The domain-specific Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were: “Collect” α=0.89, “Assess” α=0.92, “Plan” α=0.95, “Implement” α=0.96, and “Follow-up” α=0.95. Based on CFA, three items were removed. Model fit statistics indicated the overall instrument had moderate goodness of fit.

Conclusion. Results indicate the PPCP-SES demonstrated initial evidence of validity for use by pharmacy faculty members to identify students’ self-efficacy related to implementing components of the PPCP. Future research is needed to examine validity evidence in other student populations and among practicing pharmacists.