Development and Psychometric “Evaluationof Hospital Cost Management Scale”

Today, due to the increasing demand for health services and the increase in health care costs, it is necessary to pay attention to cost management in hospitals. The present study was conducted with the aim of developing and psychometric "Hospital Cost Management Scale".

The present research method is a combined (qualitative-quantitative) method. In the qualitative section, literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 health economics experts and hospital managers using content analysis and Atlasti software. In the quantitative part, the content validity ratio of the scale by Lawshe table and the content validity index was based on Waltz & Basel method were measured by opinion of 20 experts. Construct validity was measured factor analysis method. Reliability was calculated by internal consistency and stability by retesting among 20 experts in the qualitative phase with a 2-week interval. Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient was measured a second time for the whole scale in sample 207. The data were calculated by SPSS. 22.

From the qualitative section, the "Hospital Cost Management Scale" were obtained. The content validity ratio was 0.42 and the content validity index was 0.79.  The results of factor analysis showed 35 items in 5 dimensions of hospital management and structure, control and supervision, consumption resource management, financing, and human resource management. The Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient ranged from 0.75 to 0.86 and the reliability by the retest method was again between 0.76 and 0.88 two weeks’ interval. Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient with 207 samples was 0.87.

The "Hospital Cost Management Scale" was developed with 5 dimensions with high validity and reliability. Therefore, its use is recommended in planning and controlling hospital costs and directing further research.