Evaluation of an instrument to assess the needs of patients with cancer

BACKGROUND. This study aimed to assess the face, content, and construct val idity and the internal reliability of a tool for assessing the generic need s of patients with cancer (the Supportive Care Needs Survey). METHODS. A total of 1492 consecutive patients attending the surgical, radia tion, or medical oncology departments of 9 cancer treatment centers in New South Wales, Australia, were asked to participate. Of the 1370 eligible pat ients, 1354 (99%) consented to participate and 888 (65%) completed the surv ey. Eligible consenting patients were given a Supportive Care Needs Survey to complete at home and return by mail within 7 days. RESULTS. In the assessment of construct validity, the principal components method of factor analysis identified 5 factors with eigenvalues greater tha n 1, which together accounted for 64% of the total variance (patients' need s in the domains of psychologic, health system and information, physical an d daily living, patient care and support, and sexuality). Face and content validity were found to be high following pilot tests and tests of reading e ase. Internal reliability coefficients (Cronbach alpha) of all 5 factor-bas ed scales were found to be substantial, ranging from 0.87 to 0.97. CONCLUSIONS. These findings suggest that the Supportive Care Needs Survey p rovides a reliable and valid index of the global needs of oncology patients . The standardized and widespread application of this instrument is recomme nded following further refinement and evaluation. [See related article on p ages 226-37, this issue.] Cancer 2000;88:217-25. (C) 2000 American Cancer S ociety.