Abstract: Objective: To develop a scale to assess family caregivers' capability of caring rehospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: A draft scale was developed based on the results of literature review, semi-structured interviews, expert consultation and pilot study. The reliability and validity of the draft scale was then tested among 287 caregivers of rehospitalized COPD patients in Shanghai by convenient sampling method, and the final scale was developed. Results: The total Cronbach's α coefficient being 0.898 displaying a relative good reliability of the scale. By means of principal component factor analysis, four common factors were extracted and the relation between their distribution and dimension was consistent with previous theoretical framework ideas. The coefficient of correlation between each dimension of the scale ranked from 0.408 to 0.720 showing a statistically significant difference between the dimensions. The difference of correlation between each dimension and the total score was significant from the statistical aspect with the coefficient of correlation being 0.706-0.892. Conclusion: The capability scale of family caregivers for rehospitalized COPD patients possesses good reliability and validity, which can be used in our country.

Key words: caregivers capability; Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; family caregiver