Applying aspects of generalizability theory in preliminary validation of the Multifacet Interprofessional Collaboration Model (PINCOM)

OBJECTIVE: Empirical assessment of the Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) model within the framework of Generalizability Theory (GT). DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: A multifacet data collection design served the purpose of examining the relationships between observed indicators representing a defined construct. Professionals working with children and adolescents (n=134), in the context of mental health care, completed a 48 item questionnaire addressing 12 aspects of interprofessional collaboration. RESULTS: Estimated variance components from two G-studies are presented. The relative impact of different sources of variance was estimated 1) for the full design, and 2) for three groups of informants (schools, primary care and specialist services). Differences between groups were found regarding the relative impact of the level — and context facets with respect to perception of IPC. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology of generalizability theory is well suited for data with a complex facet structure as displayed in the present study. We recommend researchers to give domain specifications thorough attention when measuring IPC.