Rasch analysis of the self efficacy (SE-12) questionnaire measuring clinical communication skills.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity and reliability of the Self Efficacy (SE-12) questionnaire using Rasch analysis.

METHODS

The SE-12 was administered to Danish health care professionals prior to their participation in a communication skills training program. Analysis of fit to the Rasch model, ordering of response categories, dimensionality-testing, test for differential item functioning, test for local dependency, and calculation of reliability were used to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the SE-12.

RESULTS

In this study, 1057 respondents were analyzed. Overall, the SE-12 demonstrated an acceptable fit to the Rasch model. Response categories were appropriately ordered for all twelve items. However, items 6 (structure) and item 8 (empathy) demonstrated differential item functioning, with men being more likely to affirm the first and women the last item. Local dependency was observed between five item groups but adjusting for these improved fit indices significantly. The SE-12 exhibited high reliability with PSI ranging from 0.92 to 0.94. A transformation table converting ordinal scores to interval scores is provided.

CONCLUSION

The SE-12 demonstrates good construct validity and excellent reliability. Minor issues regarding local dependency and differential functioning require attention.Innovation: A 5-item version could be explored without compromising validity and reliability.