Tool-Description

The ATPLTC is a scale designed to assess individuals’ attitudes toward the provision of long-term care. Its purpose is to measure perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes regarding the quality, management, and challenges associated with providing long-term care for the elderly or individuals with chronic conditions.

Data Analysis and Use

Data obtained from using the ATPLTC can be analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively:
Quantitative Analysis: The ATPLTC typically uses Likert scales (e.g., 5 or 7 points) to gauge agreement or disagreement with statements related to long-term care. The total score is calculated by summing or averaging responses to questions, with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes and lower scores indicating more negative attitudes toward the provision of long-term care.
Qualitative Analysis: This involves analyzing responses to open-ended questions (if present) and examining how demographic variables such as age, gender, and occupation affect attitudes toward long-term care.
The scale can be used for
Research investigating attitudes toward the provision of long-term care.
Evaluating educational programs aimed at raising awareness about long-term care.
Studies exploring the relationship between attitudes and the quality of care provided.

Purpose

The primary goal of the ATPLTC is to provide a reliable tool for understanding attitudes toward long-term care provision. This helps in:
Studying the impact of these attitudes on care policies and health systems.
Assessing the need for training and awareness programs.

Calibration

The scale is calibrated based on data from various groups, such as healthcare professionals and the general public. The psychometric evaluation of the ATPLTC includes:
Internal Consistency: Measuring how well the questions assess the same underlying characteristic.
Reliability: Examining the consistency of responses when the scale is used at different times.
Comparison with Other Scales: The validity of the ATPLTC is examined through comparison with other scales that assess similar characteristics.

References

Kane, R. A., & Kane, R. L. (1987). Long-term care: Principles, programs, and policies. New York: Springer Publishing Company.
Brodsky, J., Habib, J., & Hirschfeld, M. (2003). Key policy issues in long-term care. Geneva: World Health Organization.
Stone, R. I. (2000). Long-term care for the elderly with disabilities: Current policy, emerging trends, and implications for the twenty-first century. Milbank Quarterly, 78(2), 245-286.