Validation of a scale to assess factors related to therapeutic adherence in cancer patients [Validación de una escala para evaluar factores vinculados a la adherencia terapéutica en pacientes oncológicos]

The aim of this study was to build and evaluate the psychometric proper- ties of a scale to assess factors related to adherence in patients with can- cer. In a sample of 120 patients from the Oncology Service from Hospital Clínico Regional de Antofagasta, we applied the questionnaire developed and previously validated in a pilot sample in similar patients. The internal consistency and factor structure of the questionnaire, and the relationship between the dimensions was assessed. According to the results, the scale has an alpha greater than 0.9, both overall and in various dimensions, and a factor structure consistent with the theoretical factors chosen. The research concluded that the scale is constructed can become a useful prognostic tool for use in cancer patients.