Validating Patient Perspectives: A Study on the Reliability of Satisfaction Survey Tools

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Assessment
• Patient Experience Measurement
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Patient perceptions are crucial for enhancing healthcare quality.
• Validated instruments are needed for accurate patient satisfaction assessment in Italian hospitals.
• Existing tools lack validation, hindering meaningful evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the internal reliability and construct validity of two patient satisfaction questionnaires.
• The questionnaires were developed for outpatient and inpatient care settings.
• The study focused on tools used at Ordine Mauriziano Hospital, Torino, Italy.

Main Methods:

• Questionnaires underwent face and content validation by experts.
• Patients completed inpatient and outpatient care questionnaires after Ethics Committee approval.
• Internal reliability (Cronbach's ɑ) and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Both questionnaires demonstrated high internal reliability (Cronbach's ɑ ≥0.80).
• Significant positive correlations confirmed construct validity with overall satisfaction.
• Confirmatory factor analysis fit indices met recommended thresholds (CFI>0.9, RMSEA/SRMR<0.08).

Conclusions:

• The developed questionnaires are valid and reliable for patient satisfaction assessment.
• These tools provide actionable insights for healthcare improvement and resource allocation.
• Widespread regional adoption can yield robust, comparable data for decision-making.