OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop a valid, reliable instrument to measure the effectiveness of shared governance councils
BACKGROUND
The work of shared governance, that is, the decisions, takes place in its structures, notably, the councils. A literature search yielded no formal instrument for evaluating how these councils function.
METHODS
A 4-phase process was used to generate valid items to measure shared governance council effectiveness, including content validity by experts, a pilot for feasibility, a larger pilot for internal consistency, and an exploratory factor analysis to delineate a final instrument.
RESULTS
More than a dozen experts and participants from nearly 30 healthcare organizations contributed to the final development of the 25-item Council Health Survey instrument. Items for measuring council effectiveness at either the unit or division level were grouped in areas of structure, activities, and membership.
CONCLUSIONS
When evaluating shared governance, nurses should focus on councils themselves, in which much of the work of shared governance occurs.
