A comparative study of seven measures of patient satisfaction

The acceptability of satisfaction as a quality indicator is qualified by several well known measurement problems. This study examines the variability in satisfaction evaluations related to different measurement methods and the effect of response biases on reported satisfaction. Satisfaction evaluations using seven different, commonly used measures of patient satisfaction were obtained from the same sample of respondents. The seven measures were: 1) a global measure of satisfaction using a visual analogue scale; 2) a multidimensional measure of satisfaction based on the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire using an evaluation response format (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent); 3) a two-item overall evaluation of quality using the evaluation response format; 4) a six-item attitude measure of general satisfaction using a five-point Likert agree-disagree response format; 5) a four-item attitude measure of satisfaction with physician, using the agree-disagree response format; 6) a four-item measure of behavioral intention; and 7) willingness-to-pay in dollars. The percentage of favorable evaluations of care ranged from 63% to 82% across six of the seven measures. Willingness-to-pay does not appear to be a valid measure of satisfaction. Correlations were highest between measures with similar response formats. Although an oppositional response bias was not found, a very substantial acquiescent response bias was detected. Acquiescence reduced the internal consistency of three multiple-item measures, the general and physician attitude and behavioral intention measures, to levels unacceptable even for group comparisons. Between highly and nonacquiescent respondents, levels of satisfaction were somewhat lower for the multidimensional measure of satisfaction and significantly lower for the two attitude satisfaction measures. Highly acquiescent respondents were older, less well educated, and in poorer health than nonacquiescent subjects. Results of satisfaction evaluations dependent on the measurement method used, and unreliability of measurement may be a significant problem in satisfaction measurement, especially for the oldest and most ill patients.