Development of the Physiotherapy Therapeutic Relationship Measure

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the development of a new measure of therapeutic relationship for use in physiotherapy – the Physiotherapy Therapeutic RElationship Measure (P-TREM).

Methods

We adopted the methodology of Devellis in Scale Development: Theory and Applications for constructing the P-TREM. We developed a measurement framework based on Miciak’s Physiotherapy Therapeutic Relationship Conceptual Framework. We generated a pool of items by extracting items from existing measures and writing new items. These were reviewed by a panel of experts and then formatted into a draft measurement instrument. The draft instrument was tested for relevancy and comprehensibility in potential respondents from our target populations using cognitive interview techniques. Finally, we pilot tested the full administration of the P-TREM.

Results and conclusions

We systematically constructed the P-TREM with 49 items in 3 subscales. Our rigorous instrument development approach ensures its content validity, which was also demonstrated in the cognitive interviews and pilot testing. The quality of the items and construct validity will be assessed in a subsequent validation study.

Keywords:

• Therapeutic
• relationship
• therapeutic alliance
• working alliance
• physiotherapy
• assessment
• patient-provider relationship
• measurement
• validation

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the patients and clinicians who dedicated their time to this project as expert reviewers.

Disclosure statement

The authors of this manuscript report no potential conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a research award from Bayer Consumer Care AG, from the Canadian Haemophilia Society and Novo Nordisk, and the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta.