Dimensions of caring: psychometric evaluation of the caring assessment tool.

The increase in relationship-centered professional practice models has expanded the interest in the measurement of caring. Using a cross-sectional descriptive study of 557 adults from 5 acute care institutions, a factor analysis and reliability statistics were used to revise the Caring Assessment Tool. Eight independent factors (mutual problem solving, attentive reassurance, human respect, encouraging manner, appreciation of unique meanings, healing environment, affiliation needs, and basic human needs) explained 62.6% of the variance in caring. The findings provide insight into patients' assessment of caring in nursing and offer a baseline evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Caring Assessment Tool.