Development of a gynecologic examination satisfaction scale: A scale development study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Psychometrics
• Women's Health

Background:

• Patient satisfaction is crucial for quality healthcare, particularly in sensitive areas like gynecologic examinations.
• Existing tools may not adequately capture the multifaceted nature of women's experiences during gynecologic exams.
• A standardized, validated instrument is needed to assess satisfaction and identify areas for improvement in gynecologic care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Gynecologic Examination Satisfaction Scale (GESS).
• To provide a reliable and standardized tool for assessing women's satisfaction with gynecologic examinations.
• To facilitate clinical and research applications for enhancing gynecologic care quality.

Main Methods:

• Literature review to establish a theoretical framework.
• Item generation (53 items) covering emotional, physical, environmental, hygiene, and procedural aspects.
• Content validity by expert panel; scale administered to 530 women; construct validity assessed via EFA and CFA; reliability via Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlations.

Main Results:

• A six-factor structure with acceptable model fit was identified.
• The final 36-item GESS includes subscales: health personnel, examination environment, emotional responses, menstrual period concerns, hygiene, and privacy.
• All subscales demonstrated strong internal consistency and satisfactory psychometric properties.

Conclusions:

• The GESS is the first instrument specifically designed to measure women's satisfaction with gynecologic examinations.
• The scale is validated, reliable, and suitable for both clinical practice and research.
• Utilizing the GESS can help identify areas needing improvement, ultimately enhancing the quality of gynecologic care.