Validation of a theory-based instrument measuring patient-reported psychosocial care by physicians using a multiple...

The purpose of this study is the further validation of an existing instrument for measuring patient-reported psychosocial care by physicians using a multiple indicators and multiple causes model, to estimate the association of construct values with its antecedent causes as well as consequences simultaneously.

A written questionnaire was answered by 2470 patients (response rate, 52.9%) who were treated in the year 2000 in six hospitals in Germany.

Estimation of the multiple indicators and multiple causes model produced an acceptable model fit (Tucker-Lewis index=.940, comparative fit index=.943 and root mean square error of approximation=.060). The latent construct of psychosocial care by physicians predicted the construct of patient satisfaction by 83% (beta=0.91), trust in physicians by 85% (beta=.92), and image of the hospital by 69% (beta=.83).

Based on our multiple indicators and multiple causes model instrument's reported psychometric characteristics and on initial validity indicators, psychosocial care by physicians can be regarded as an adequate measure for further use in outcome research.

The scale psychosocial care by physicians can be used as a valid instrument in regard to quality assessment and assurance.