Adaptation of the Texas Christian University Organisational Readiness for Change Short Form (TCU-ORC-SF) for use in primary health facilities in South Africa

ObjectivesThe Texas Christian University Organisational Readiness for Change Scale (TCU-ORC) assesses factors influencing adoption of evidence-based practices. It has not been validated in low-income and middle-income countries (LMIC). This study assessed its psychometric properties in a South African setting with the aim of adapting it into a shorter measure.MethodsThis study was conducted in 24 South African primary healthcare clinics in the Western Cape Province. The TCU-ORC and two other measures, the Organisational Readiness to Change Assessment (ORCA) and the Checklist for Assessing Readiness for Implementation (CARI) were administered. The questionnaire was readministered after 2 weeks to obtain data on test–retest reliability. Three hundred and ninety-five surveys were completed: 281 participants completed the first survey, and 118 recompleted the assessments.ResultsWe used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify latent dimensions represented in the data. Cronbach’s alpha for each subscale was assessed and we examined the extent to which the subscales and total scale scores for the first and retest surveys correlated. Convergent validity was assessed by the correlation coefficient between the TCU-ORC, ORCA and CARI total scale scores. EFA resulted in a three-factor solution. The three subscales proposed are Clinic Organisational Climate (8 items), Motivational Readiness for Change (13 items) and Individual Change Efficacy (5 items) (26 items total). Cronbach’s alpha for each subscale was >0.80. The overall shortened scale had a test–retest correlation of r=0.80, p<0.01, acceptable convergent validity with the ORCA scale (r=0.56, p<0.05), moderate convergence with the CARI (r=39, p<0.05) and strong correlation with the original scale (r=0.79, p<0.05).ConclusionsThis study presents the first psychometric data on the TCU-ORC from an LMIC. The proposed shortened tool may be more feasible for use in LMICs.Trial registration numberResults stage. Project MIND trial. Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry. PACTR201610001825405.

Unlocking Opportunity at Texas Christian University: Are Income Share Agreements the Master Key?

As the nation’s growing student debt obligations surmount $1.6 trillion, some post-secondary education institutions are investigating innovative solutions for college financing to replace traditional loans. Income Share Agreements (ISAs) represent a popular strategy for some trade and state universities; through legal contracts, these institutions assume the burden of remaining education costs after grants and scholarships in return for a predetermined percentage of the student’s future income over a specified time period. This thesis will investigate the viability of ISAs specifically at private, nonprofit, four-year institutions, using Texas Christian University (TCU) as a case study. Using a multivariate distribution of correlated stochastic variables, Monte Carlo simulation generated thousands of possible net present value (NPV) scenarios for ISA contracts with the Neeley School of Business, the site of a potential pilot program. Most business major ISA contracts demonstrated a probability greater than 98% to return a positive NPV. These findings solidify recommendations to implement such a pilot program within the Neeley School of Business with the hopes of expanding these financial aid tools to all major programs in future years. An income share program at TCU could not only unlock opportunity but also maintain the university’s financial stability in a time of economic downturn.

Teaching on Religion and Violence

I have many times now taught a course entitled “Religion and Violence” at Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University. The Brite course is in-class; the TCU course is online with Master of Liberal Arts students. I will describe the difference between the two formats and also provide sample syllabi. The course has traditionally focused on the “why” question--“Why are human beings violent?”--rather than on ethical debates about pacifism vs. just war. Feedback from the online students often asked for another course focusing on peacemaking, now that the psychology of violence has become better understood. I therefore developed a new course called “Peacemaking in a Violent World,” which will also be described. I will make the argument that our culture as a whole would benefit from greater curricular attention to the psychology of violence, at all levels of education. I will also provide attendees with a bibliography for collection development in this area.

Book Reviews

Stephen Quinn of Texas Christian University reviews “British Banking: Continuity and Change from 1694 to the Presentb” by Ranald C. Michie. The Econlit abstract of this book begins: “The stated goal of British Banking is to cover enough time and enough details to help policy makers understand where banking is going by explaining how it got to the present.”