Examining the content validity of the birthing unit design spatial evaluation tool within a woman-centered framework

Sheehy, A; Foureur, M; Catling-Paull, C; Homer, C

Examining the content validity of the birthing unit design spatial evaluation tool within a woman-centered framework

Sheehy, A

Foureur, M

Catling-Paull, C

Homer, C

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2011, 56 (5), pp. 494 - 502
Issue Date:: 2011-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sheehy, A https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0037-1501	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Foureur, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0454-0165	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Catling-Paull, C https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7352-2879	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Homer, C https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7454-3011	en_US
dc.date.issued	2011-09-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2011, 56 (5), pp. 494 - 502	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1526-9523	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18597
dc.description.abstract	Introduction: The environment for birth influences women in labor. Optimal birthing environments have the potential to facilitate normal labor and birth. The measurement of optimal birth units is currently not possible because there are no tools. An audit tool, the Birth Unit Design Spatial Evaluation Tool (BUDSET), was developed to assess the optimality of birthing environments. The BUDSET is based on 4 domains (fear cascade, facility, aesthetics, support), each comprising design principles that are further differentiated into specific assessable design items. In the process of developing measurement tools, content validity must be established. The aim of this study was to establish the content validity of the BUDSET from the perspective of women and midwives. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study with a survey assessing agreement with BUDSET items and in-depth interviews. Survey results were analyzed using an item-level content validity index and a survey-level validity index. Interview data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. The study was conducted in 2 locations-a major maternity hospital and a midwifery research center, both in Australia. Study participants were 10 women and 2 midwifery academics. Results: The survey revealed that content-related validity varied according to the BUDSET domain, with the domains of facility and support established as content valid by most participants. The domains of the fear cascade and aesthetic were less strong, particularly among pregnant women. Interview data analysis provided content validity evidence of both the fear cascade and aesthetic domains. A further 4 subthemes of fear cascade also were identified: foreign space, medical-hospital-emergency, being sterile/clinical, and protecting the woman from the environment. Content validity evidence for facility and support domains also was established. Discussion: This study has established that the BUDSET is content valid for assessing the optimality of birthing environments. Some further refinement of the tool is now possible. © 2011 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/j.1542-2011.2011.00059.x	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Obstetrics & Reproductive Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Pregnancy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Hospital Design and Construction	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Birthing Centers	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient-Centered Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Spatial Analysis	en_US
dc.title	Examining the content validity of the birthing unit design spatial evaluation tool within a woman-centered framework	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	5	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	56	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Midwifery
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - WHO CC
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	5	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	56	en_US

Abstract:

Introduction: The environment for birth influences women in labor. Optimal birthing environments have the potential to facilitate normal labor and birth. The measurement of optimal birth units is currently not possible because there are no tools. An audit tool, the Birth Unit Design Spatial Evaluation Tool (BUDSET), was developed to assess the optimality of birthing environments. The BUDSET is based on 4 domains (fear cascade, facility, aesthetics, support), each comprising design principles that are further differentiated into specific assessable design items. In the process of developing measurement tools, content validity must be established. The aim of this study was to establish the content validity of the BUDSET from the perspective of women and midwives. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study with a survey assessing agreement with BUDSET items and in-depth interviews. Survey results were analyzed using an item-level content validity index and a survey-level validity index. Interview data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. The study was conducted in 2 locations-a major maternity hospital and a midwifery research center, both in Australia. Study participants were 10 women and 2 midwifery academics. Results: The survey revealed that content-related validity varied according to the BUDSET domain, with the domains of facility and support established as content valid by most participants. The domains of the fear cascade and aesthetic were less strong, particularly among pregnant women. Interview data analysis provided content validity evidence of both the fear cascade and aesthetic domains. A further 4 subthemes of fear cascade also were identified: foreign space, medical-hospital-emergency, being sterile/clinical, and protecting the woman from the environment. Content validity evidence for facility and support domains also was established. Discussion: This study has established that the BUDSET is content valid for assessing the optimality of birthing environments. Some further refinement of the tool is now possible. © 2011 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18597