Original Research Participants’ perspectives on the medical practitioner compassion competency questionnaire

Willem E. Botha, Michelle Jäckel-Visser, Callie Theron

About the author(s) Willem E. Botha, Department of Industrial Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Michelle Jäckel-Visser, Department of Industrial Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Callie Theron, Department of Industrial Psychology, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The study qualitatively reviewed the Medical Practitioner Compassion Competency Questionnaire (MPCCQ). The revision aimed to extend the questionnaire and address the factor fission found within three subscales of the MPCCQ, namely, mindfulness, emotion recognition, and compassion action orientation.

Methods: A literature review was conducted to inform the development of additional items for the questionnaire. Thereafter, 14 subject matter experts (SMEs) were asked to assess the items in the mindfulness, emotion recognition, and compassion action orientation subscales. Experts provided feedback in an open-ended format, allowing them to freely express any concerns or comments about each item. In addition, they rated each item’s clarity and validity on a scale from 1 (not clear or valid) to 3 (clear and valid). Lawshe’s content validity ratios were calculated to assess the level of consensus among the SMEs and to quantify the need for revision.

Results: Eight items showed statistically significant disapproval from SMEs and were rewritten based on the qualitative feedback from the SMEs. In total, 30 items were amended according to SME suggestions along with previous qualitative data collected by Visser.

Conclusion: The revised questionnaire aims to more accurately and comprehensively capture compassion competency in medical practitioners on the sub-dimensions identified by the original author, ultimately supporting the ongoing development of compassion competency measurement in medical practitioners.

Contribution: In addition, this study contributes to the body of knowledge on qualitative methods for constructing behavioural observation scales.

Keywords

compassion; qualitative research; questionnaire validation; face validity; empathy; mindfulness; compassionate action

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

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