Translation and Validation of the Korean Version of the Global Interprofessional Therapeutic Communication Scale: A Study of the Psychometric Properties among Korean Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to validate the Korean version of the Global Interprofessional Therapeutic Communication Scale (K-GITCS), with the ultimate goal of improving therapeutic communication and patient engagement among Korean nurses.

Methods: The study rigorously adhered to the original authors’ translation guidelines. A sample of 300 registered nurses from a tertiary hospital in South Korea participated in this research. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to verify the tool’s validity, and Cronbach’s ⍺ coefficients were calculated to evaluate the internal consistency of the K-GITCS.

Results: The instrument’s reliability was substantiated by an adequate comparative fit index (0.984) and a high Cronbach’s ⍺ coefficient (0.94). The empirical results supported the three-factor structure of the K-GITCS, which comprised trust and rapport building, power sharing, and empathy.

Conclusion: The study confirms that the K-GITCS is a valid, reliable, and culturally sensitive instrument for assessing therapeutic communication skills among nurses in Korea. It also highlights the importance of culturally tailored therapeutic communication training, particularly for promoting empathy in patient care. The study emphasizes the potential of the K-GITCS to significantly enhance nurses’ therapeutic communication practices, thereby improving the quality and safety of patient care. It is recommended to apply this tool among nursing students, academic institutions, and interprofessional healthcare providers to facilitate structured educational interventions that will improve therapeutic communication.