J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2026 Aug;28(3):413-427. 10.7586/jkbns.26.027.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Korean version of the Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Knowledge Test (K-PICS-KT): a methodological study

• Kang J
• Cha H

• KMID: 2584229
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.26.027

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to develop the Korean version of the Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Knowledge Test (K-PICS-KT) through cross-cultural adaptation to ensure cultural and clinical appropriateness for use in Korea and to evaluate its validity and reliability.
Methods
The Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Knowledge Test (PICS-KT) was translated into Korean through a cross-cultural adaptation process based on the World Health Organization guidelines for instrument translation and adaptation, with consideration of the Korean cultural and clinical context. The preliminary K-PICS-KT was then evaluated for validity and reliability. Validity evidence was examined using known-groups validity and item analysis. Reliability was evaluated by assessing internal consistency with the Kuder–Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) and temporal stability with a test–retest design.
Results
Content validity assessment produced a preliminary K-PICS-KT comprising 54 items across four domains. Known-groups validity was supported (p < .001). During item analysis, one item was removed because of a low item–total correlation and content review, resulting in a final K-PICS-KT comprising 53 items across four domains. The KR-20 coefficient was .97, and the test–retest intraclass correlation coefficient was .94. Evidence supporting content validity, known-groups validity, item discrimination, internal consistency reliability, and test–retest reliability was established.
Conclusion
The K-PICS-KT developed in this study can be used to measure PICS knowledge among intensive care unit nurses, develop educational programs to improve knowledge, and evaluate the effectiveness of PICS education programs.

Keyword

Post-intensive care syndrome; Knowledge; Surveys and questionnaires; Psychometrics; 집중치료 후 증후군; 지식; 설문 및 질문지; 심리측정학