Skip to main content

Table 6 Revised items following expert suggestions for revision

From: Development of the Health Literacy of Caregivers Scale - Cancer (HLCS-C): item generation and content validity testing

Construct

Item #

Initial item

Revised item

Comments from experts

Supported by healthcare providers to understand information

50

Healthcare providers have helped us compare information about treatments

Healthcare providers have helped me compare information about treatments

Consider using ‘me’ rather than ‘us’ to avoid confusion

 

57

Healthcare providers have helped me understand the potential side effects of treatments

Healthcare providers have helped us understand the potential side effects of treatments

Consider using ‘me’ rather than ‘us’ to avoid confusion

Communication with the care recipient

58

After appointments, I discuss the information given by doctors with the person I care for

After appointments, I discuss the information given by healthcare providers with the person I care for

Referring to doctors or all healthcare providers

Understanding the care recipient

14

I understand when to let the person I am caring for do things by themselves in their own time

I understand when to let the person I am caring for do things for themselves in their own time

Perhaps “for themselves” better captures the concept

 

30

I know which everyday activities the person I care for would like to be involved in

I know which everyday activities the person I care for would like to do

Changing “involved in” might improve clarity

  

I know which everyday activities the person I care for can participate in

I know which everyday activities the person I care for can do

Changing “participate in’ to “can do” might improve clarity

Social support

4

There is at least one person who understands and supports me

I have at least one person who understands and supports me

Consider changing the stem to follow other items

 

12

I have strong support from at least one family member

I have strong support from at least one family member or friend

Is it necessary to differentiate between family member and friend

 

66

I have strong support from at least one friend

Not applicable: Subsumed into above item

As above

 

20

I get plenty of chances to talk to other people who are caring for someone with cancer

I get enough chances to talk to other people who are caring for someone with cancer

Might not need ‘plenty’

 

44

I have family or friends who can attend medical appointments with us

I have at least one family member or friend who can attend medical appointments with us

Identifying one person would be adequate