Evaluating change: Using the Measure of Processes of Care-Service Provider as an outcome measure for performance and confidence in family-centred care

Background Family-centred care (FCC) is considered the best practice in paediatric care but it is not always implemented sufficiently. Effective training programmes that enhance health care providers' knowledge and self-efficacy have the potential to improve FCC implementation in their daily practice. The goal of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the measure of processes of care (MPOC)-service provider (MPOC-SP) version and MPOC confidence (MPOC-Con) in detecting changes following an FCC training. Methods The MPOC-Con was developed for this study as a sequel to MPOC-SP to measure self-efficacy related to specific FCC practices. Twenty-four health care providers (occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologist, and special education teacher) participated in a 6-month FCC provider training. The training included 30 contact hours on FCC principles and techniques through experiential learning, reflective exercises, peer mentoring, and case-study analyses. The MPOC-SP and MPOC-Con were administered preparticipation and postparticipation. Results Repeated multivariate analysis of variance and reliable change index (RCI) analyses indicated a significant group increase in performance and confidence following the training in two of the four MPOC-SP factors and in all MPOC-Con factors, F(1, 7) = 5.17, P = .003, eta(2) = .68; RCI > 1.96. Individual change patterns in FCC performance indicated patterns of increased, decreased, or stable performance, with the highest increased performances reported for treating people respectfully (79%) and communicating specific information (71%), mostly stable performance in providing general information (75%) and similar levels of increase and stability (41% and 39%, respectively) for interpersonal sensitivity. The Pearson's correlation between MPOC-SP and MPOC-Con were significant, moderate-strong, and positive (r = .42-.69, P < .05). Conclusions The MPOC-SP and the MPOC-Con are sensitive measures suitable for evaluating individual and group changes following training. When designing professional development programmes, managers and educators should consider the interrelation between self-efficacy and implementing acquired knowledge and skills in FCC.