Constructing A Core Competency Evaluation Index System for Incontinence Specialist Nurses: A Delphi Study

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to construct a core competency evaluation index system for incontinence specialist nurses; clarify the core competency elements required for incontinence nursing work; and provide a theoretical foundation for a comprehensive, objective and scientific evaluation of incontinence specialist nurses. DESIGN: A Delphi study design was adopted. METHODS: Based on the theoretical framework of the Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in China and related literature, a preliminary core competency evaluation index system for continence specialist nurses was determined by conducting semi-structured interviews. Subsequently, through two rounds of the Delphi method, 27 medical experts, nursing educators and managers, and clinical nursing experts from 16 provinces, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Chongqing, and two special administrative regions, including Hong Kong and Macao and Singapore, were consulted by letter. Indicators with a mean importance score ≥ 4.00, full score rate ≥ 20% and coefficient of variation ≤ 0.25 were retained. RESULTS: The effective recovery rates of the expert letter inquiries' two rounds were 90% and 100%. The Kendall's coefficient of agreement (W) values obtained from the two rounds of expert inquiries in this study were 0.150-0.244 and 0.129-0.173, respectively, (p < 0.001). Their Kendall coefficients were 0.152 and 0.128, respectively, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.930 (p < 0.001). The final evaluation index system included 6, 17 and 70 first-, second- and third-level indicators, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study constructed a core competency evaluation index system for incontinence specialist nurses. The construction process-though scientific-must be verified in practice. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The construction of a core competency evaluation index system for incontinence specialist nurses may help develop training programmes for them, facilitate the comprehensive evaluation of their abilities and act as a theoretical and practical reference in this regard. This study fills the research gap vis-à-vis constructing a core competency evaluation index system for incontinence specialist nurses.