The Reliability and Validity of a Practice Ability Evaluation Scale for Physical Therapists Engaged in the Integrated Community Care System

[Purpose] This study aimed to develop and test the reliability and validity of a Practice Ability Evaluation Scale (PAES) for physical therapists (PTs) engaged in the Integrated Community Care System. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were PTs working at 504 medical facilities or care service centers for the elderly in the north Kanto area. Questionnaires were distributed via mail. [Results] A total of 387 (45.7%) PTs responded, and 373 (44.0%) responses were valid. Item and factor analyses showed the PAES to consist of 5 factors and 17 items. Cronbach’s alpha for each of the 5 factors was 0.81 or greater, verifying the reliability. Structural equation modeling with factor analysis was performed using the observed variables and latent factors, and the model was shown to have a relatively high validity. [Conclusion] The results obtained verified the reliability and validity of a PAES containing 5 factors and 17 items.