Translation, Adaptation and Validation of Referral Systems Assessment and Monitoring Toolkit for the Family Physicians Program in Iran

Studies on the function of referral system in Iran had not covered all aspects and structures of the referral system. This could be due to lack of an appropriate tool that could investigate referral system in Iran. The current study was done to translate and investigate the validation of Referral Systems Assessment and Monitoring (RSAM) Toolkit based on family physician in Iran.

The English version of RSAM was translated into Farsi. Content validity was assessed by calculating content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). For this purpose we used 20 informed individuals familiar with family physician program and referral system. Then, the tool was used in 52 family physician units in Mazandaran province and its reliability was investigated. Data were analyzed in SPSS V24 and LISREL 8.8.

The coefficients of CVR and CVI were 70% and 90%, respectively, which were higher than the acceptable values. The Chrocbach’s alpha coefficient for reliability of multiple choice items was 0.89 (good) and the Kudar-Ricahrson coefficient for two-choice items was 0.83. (acceptable).

The RSAM tool for Family Physician Program in Iran has the necessary scientific features and could be efficient in investigating this form of referral system.