The AMA Communication Techniques Survey: A Psychometric Analysis

BACKGROUND: Health care providers are continually seeking to improve patient communication to improve patient outcomes. The American Medical Association (AMA) developed a set of recommended communication practices and an instrument to evaluate health care providers' use of and perceived effectiveness of these techniques. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to assess factor structure of the AMA Communication Techniques Survey using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to evaluate reliability of the instrument among nurses and allied health professionals who provide diabetes education. METHODS: A national convenience sample of 522 diabetes educators completed the survey; this sample was split into two subsamples—the EFA (n = 302) and CFA (n = 220). Of this sample, 60.2% (n = 314) were nurses. Factor structure and reliability analysis of the AMA Communication Techniques Survey was conducted. KEY RESULTS: EFA with varimax rotation revealed two internally consistent subscales labeled basic and advanced communication techniques. CFA determined that basic and advanced technique subscales were a good fit for the factors. Basic techniques included items such as speaking slowly and using simple words. Advanced techniques included the Teach-Back method, underlining words in printed materials, and presenting 2 to 3 concepts at a time. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total scale was .81 and .70 (basic subscale) and .74 (advanced subscale), indicating good reliability. CONCLUSIONS: The AMA Communication Techniques Survey appears to be a valid and reliable instrument to examine communication practices of diabetes educators. Additionally, EFA confirms previously hypothesized basic and advanced subscales. However, the factors included in each scale differ from previous conceptualization. [Health Literacy Research and Practice. 2017;1(4):e208–e215.] PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This study established reliability and validity for the American Medical Association Communication Technqiues Survey among diabetes educators. Data support the creation of two separate groups of items: basic and advanced techqniues.