The Testing & Launch of the Professional Humility Scale: Exploring (New) Dimensions of Interprofessionalism

The Professional Humility Scale (PHS) seeks to quantify humility as a critical construct within interprofessional healthcare environments. This research was initiated to address the gap in validated tools for measuring professional humility, which is increasingly recognized as essential for effective collaboration and ethical practice. The primary research question explores: "How well does the PHS demonstrate validity and reliability in assessing professional humility among healthcare professionals?" Methods/methodology: The research employed a two-phase mixed-methods design. Phase one involved face validity testing with 25-30 interprofessional education experts, using a survey with closed- and open-ended questions. Phase two expanded to construct validity testing with 150-175 healthcare professionals recruited via CloudResearch® Prime Panels. Participants completed the PHS alongside validated scales assessing related constructs such as intellectual humility, open-mindedness, and social desirability. Data analysis examined convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity. Results: Initial face validity testing indicated consensus among experts on the scale's relevance and clarity, leading to minor revisions of the original scale construction. Current/Ongoing construct validity testing (to be completed by March 2025) will reveal internal consistency (via Cronbach’s alpha) and any significant correlations with established humility and teamwork measures. Moreover, exploratory factor analysis will identify any distinct dimensions of professional humility. Conclusions, implications, and curiosities: Through rigorous validity and reliability testing, it is assumed that the PHS will serve as a novel tool for examining humility in healthcare settings. Its implications extend to enhancing interprofessional training, fostering ethical decision-making, and improving patient care outcomes. Future research could explore its predictive utility for patient satisfaction and team dynamics. Questions will be addressed regarding the scale's applicability across diverse cultural and professional contexts and further investigation into its global relevance and adaptability. This work establishes a foundational step in operationalizing professional humility, emphasizing its importance in advancing interprofessionalism.