Therapist’s Communication Skills Inventory - Patient Version: Construction and Content Validity

Abstract The objectives of this study were to develop the items of the Therapist Communication Skills Inventory - Patient Version (IHCT-P) and investigate the evidence of its Content Validity. The construction of the items was based on a narrative review of the literature on the subject. The preliminary version of the IHCT-P, with 40 items, covered the following dimensions: verbal skills, non-verbal skills and paraverbal skills. The items were analyzed by five professionals with clinical and empirical expertise on the topic according to criteria of Practical Pertinence, Relevance Theoretical and Clarity of Language. The Content Validity Coefficient (CVC) was investigated, using the criterion CVC > 0.8. The CVC’s of the criteria of Practical Relevance (CVCPP = 0.945), Theoretical Relevance (CVCRT = 0.930) and Clarity of Language (CVCCL = 0.927) were considered adequate. In its final format, the IHCT-P had 39 items and underwent an evaluation of the target audience, in order to analyze whether the items are understandable for subjects with low education. At this stage, the IHCT-P was presented to 30 participants, 15 women (50%), aged between 19 and 42 years (M = 28.3; SD = 6.2), the majority of whom had completed higher education (63.3%). This instrument can be useful in the therapist’s self-assessment, in supervision practices and in interventions. It is highlighted, however, that empirical investigations are necessary, as well as further validation studies of this instrument.