Analysis

The FATCOD questionnaire was developed in 1988 by Katherine Frommelt. It is a psychometric tool designed to assess the attitudes of healthcare professionals toward the care of terminally ill patients.

Purpose

The FATCOD scale consists of 30 statements that evaluate caregivers’ attitudes toward caring for dying patients. The statements cover various aspects of care, including emotional support, communication, comfort, and professional satisfaction.

Scoring

The FATCOD scale includes 30 items exploring attitudes toward the care of terminally ill patients. Respondents answer using a 5-point Likert scale (ranging from “Strongly agree” to “Strongly disagree”). The questionnaire consists of an equal number of positively and negatively worded statements. Positive items include numbers 1, 2, 4, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, and 30, while the remaining items are negatively phrased. For positively worded items, “Strongly disagree” scores 1 point; for negatively worded items, scoring is reversed, with “Strongly disagree” scoring 5 points.

Statistical Analysis

The total score ranges from 30 to 150 points, with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude toward the care of terminally ill patients.

Validity and Reliability

Factor analyses have shown that the FATCOD items clearly reflect the theoretical constructs of attitudes toward end-of-life care. Cronbach’s alpha for the FATCOD is typically above 0.80, indicating high internal consistency.

Bibliography

Frommelt, K. H. (2003). Attitudes toward care of the terminally ill: an educational intervention. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care, 20(1), 13–22.