Instruments Measuring Nursing Staff Competence in Community Health Care

Abstract

There is currently no review of instruments that measure nursing staff competence in community health care. This study aims to (a) identify competence measurement instruments developed for nursing staff in community health care, and (b) explore conceptual and methodological issues concerning these instruments. A systematic literature search was made for the period 2000-2012. Instruments were evaluated for target group, content, and methodological quality. Of 11 identified instruments, all self-report, only four provided sufficient evidence of instrument validity. Few instruments had conceptualized competence by defining and operationalizing the concept. The evidence of the quality of the instruments varied greatly and was generally not sufficient. This review may help researchers decide which existing competence measurement instrument to use or whether they have to develop a new instrument.