Care Satisfaction Scores Research Articles

The role of mental health in the relationship between nursing care satisfaction with nurse-patient relational care in Chinese emergency department nursing.

The relationship between a nurse and a patient is a key part of nursing that can impact how happy the patient is with the care they receive. It appears that the nurse's mental health can also affect this connection. However, there is little research on this topic. So, the aim of the present study was to determine the correlation of nurse's mental health with nurse-patient relational care and nursing care satisfaction. A total of 532 nurses and 532 patients from 13 Level-III hospitals of Hubei province (China) completed a China Mental Health Survey, general information questionnaire, the Nursing Care Satisfaction Scale, and Relational Care Scale. Age, nurse working years, and night shift last month were correlated with mental health score (r = -0.142, r = -0.150, r = 0.164, p < 0.05). Nurse's mental health was correlated with relational care score and nursing care satisfaction score (r = -0.177, r = -0.325, p < 0.05). Also, relational care score, patients age and gender were correlated with nursing care satisfaction score (r = 0.584 and r = 0.143, x2 = 11.636, p < 0.05). Descriptive information of nurses had a direct impact on nurses' mental health (direct effect = 0.612, 0.419-0.713). Nurses' mental health had a direct effect on relational care score (direct effect = 0.493, 0.298-0.428) and an indirect effect on nursing care satisfaction score (indirect effect = 0.051, 0.032-0.074). Relational care score and patient's descriptive information had also a direct effect on nursing care satisfaction score (direct effect = 0.232, 0.057-0.172 and 0.057, 0.347-0.493). This study showed that the better the mental health of nurses, the more patients feel satisfied with nursing services.

Patient satisfaction analysis of robot-assisted minimally invasive adrenalectomy: a single-center retrospective study.

The objective of this study is to compare the satisfaction of patients undergoing robot-assisted retroperitoneal laparoscopy adrenalectomy under the ambulatory mode and conventional mode. Basic information and clinical data of patients who underwent robotic-assisted posterior laparoscopic adrenalectomy between June 2020 and June 2023 were queried from our case system. The Outpatient and Ambulatory Surgery Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey (OAS CAHPS®) was used to investigate patient satisfaction with preoperative preparation, discharge counseling, postoperative instructions, postoperative pain, and satisfaction with nursing work. The stats R package was used to select the appropriate statistic for the statistics based on the characteristics of the data. A total of 311 patients who underwent robot-assisted posterior laparoscopic adrenalectomy were enrolled in our case system. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in gender, age, body mass index, ASA classification, laterality, maximum tumor diameter, type of resection, hormonal activity, disease type, pathological classification, duration of surgery, estimated intraoperative bleeding, postoperative complications and follow-up period that were compared between the two groups of patients. There were no significant differences in preoperative preparation score, discharge counseling score, postoperative guidance score and nursing care satisfaction score (P > 0.05). Postoperative hospitalization, peristalsis time, defecation time, time to first postoperative mobilization, duration of indwelling drain and hospitalization costs in patients in the ambulatory model group were significantly less than patients in the conventional model group (P < 0.001). Patients in the ambulatory model group had significantly higher postoperative pain relief scores than patients in the conventional model group. In conclusion, our data suggest that patient satisfaction is equal between the conventional and ambulatory mode of performing robotic-assisted adrenalectomy. Patient satisfaction was probably associated with shorter hospitalization days, adequate preoperative preparation and standardized, high-quality post-discharge information and guidance.

The effect of VR headsets used during burn dressing in children on satisfaction and anxiety level of their parents

PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of virtual reality used during burn dressing in children on the satisfaction and anxiety levels of their parents. MethodsThe study, which was designed as a prospective randomized controlled trial, was carried out with the parents of children aged 5–10 years who visited the only burns unit of a hospital in the northern region of Turkiye between 5 July 2021 and 1 April 2022 for dressing. There were a total of 52 participants in the study, 26 in the control and 26 in the intervention group. ResultsThe mean age of the children was 7.31 ± 1.81 years in the intervention group and 7.08 ± 1.72 in the control group. After the dressing was applied to the children, the mean anxiety score of the parents of the children was found to be 0.09 ± 0.28 in the intervention group and 0.64 ± 0.53 in the control group. The mean nursing care satisfaction score of the parents in the intervention group was found to be 4.70 ± 0.50 while it was 2.80 ± 0.26 in the control group. ConclusionsIn the study, while the anxiety levels of the ones in the intervention group decreased after the dressing, their satisfaction levels with nursing care were found higher than the control group. Practice implicationsNursing interventions that would reduce the pain and anxiety experienced by children during medical procedures are also effective in reducing the anxiety of parents, and therefore, they should be included in distraction efforts with their children.

Perceptions and Satisfaction of the Relatives of Intensive Care Unit Patients Regarding the Role of Nurses

Purpose: This study was carried out to determine theperceptions and satisfaction of the relatives ofintensive care unit patients regarding the role of nurses.Materials and Methods: The sample of the studyconsisted of 154 patients’ relatives in the intensive careunits of a University hospital between July andOctober 2019. The Family's Perception of the Role ofNurses scale and Intensive Care Unit SatisfactionScale was used for data collection.Results: The mean total expectation score of thepatients' relatives was 3.760.80 and the mean totalscore of nursing practices was 3.660.80. Theintensive care satisfaction score of patient relativeswas determined as 68,1220,83. There was a significant positive correlation between nursingpractices and care satisfaction, decision-makingsatisfaction, information satisfaction, and ICUsatisfaction.Conclusions: Patient relatives' behavioral roleexpectations from nurses and perceived role enactmentscore were above the average and there was astatistically significant difference between them. Theintensive care satisfaction levels of the patient relativeswere above average and there was a significant,positive, and high-level relationship between theperception of nursing practices and intensive caresatisfaction.

Nurse-supported care versus rheumatologist-led care in patients with rheumatoid arthritis at high disease activity: A retrospective study of two Chinese centers.

The European League Against Rheumatism recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis advised the involvement of clinical nurses for the management of rheumatoid arthritis. However, The European League Against Rheumatism recommendations are difficult to apply to Chinese institutes. In China, the rheumatology nursing service is not widely adopted because the feasibility and quality of rheumatology nursing service have not been confirmed in the Chinese population by the Chinese authorities. The objectives of the study were to compare 2.5 years clinical outcomes of patients of rheumatoid arthritis (6 months history) with disease activity score 28-joint count with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) > 5.1 who received nurse-supported care against those of patients who received rheumatologist-led care. Patients received 30 minutes/day and 6 times/week nurse-supported care (NC cohort, n = 127) or Patients had received 20 minutes session at every 3 months of conventional outpatient-based rheumatologist-led care (n = 131). Both types of care have involved the history of patients, care regarding effects and adverse effects of pharmacological treatments, patients education, overall well-being, everyday life, counseling, clarifications, and rehabilitation. Additionally, there were a cohort in which patients did not receive any nontreatment care (NN cohort, n = 141). All patients have definite depression and anxiety (hospital anxiety and depression scale Chinese version score ≥ 11) before nontreatment interventions. At 2.5 years of treatments with or without nontreatment interventions (EL) DAS28-CRP, depression, and anxiety scores of patients of the NC cohort were decreased as compared to their before any type of nontreatment interventions conditions and those of patients of the RC and NN cohorts at EL (P < .001 for all). At EL numbers of patients with moderate disease activity, (DAS28-CRP score: 3.2-5.1) and borderline depression and anxiety (hospital anxiety and depression scales Chinese version score: 8-10) were greater in the NC cohort than those of the RC and NN cohorts (P < .001 for all). Outpatient care satisfaction scores of patients of the NC cohort were higher than those of the RC [23 (27-17) vs 17 (21-14)] and NN [23 (7-17) vs 15 [18-12]) cohorts (P < .001 for both). Physiological and psychological conditions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with DAS28-CRP > 5.1 are required to improve. Nurse-supported care is superior nontreatment compared to rheumatologist-led care in rheumatoid arthritis patients with high disease activity (Level of Evidence: IV; Technical Efficacy: Stage 5).

Quality indicators and satisfaction with care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Grading the quality of care in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and determining its relationship with care satisfaction may recognize gaps that could lead to better clinical practice. Eighteen quality indicators (QIs) were recently developed and validated for patients with SLE based on the 2019 EULAR management recommendations. Few studies have analyzed the relationship between quality of care and care satisfaction in patients with lupus. This was a cross-sectional study. We included patients at least 18years old who met the EULAR/ACR 2019 classification criteria for SLE. We interviewed patients and retrieved data from medical records to assess their compliance with a set of 18 EULAR-based QIs. We calculated each QI fulfillment as the proportion of fulfilled QI divided by the number of eligible patients for each indicator. Care satisfaction was evaluated with the satisfaction domain of LupusPRO version 1.7. Spearman correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between quality of care and care satisfaction. Seventy patients with a median age of 33 (IQR 23-48) were included, 90% were women. Overall adherence was 62.29%. The median care satisfaction was 100. Global adherence to the 18-QIs and the care satisfaction score revealed no correlation (r = 0.064, p = 0.599). Higher QI fulfillment was found in the group with remission versus the moderate-high activity group (p = 0.008). In our study, SLE patients in remission had higher fulfillment of quality indicators. We found no correlation between the quality of care and satisfaction with care.

Turkish version of the 5-item Compassion Measurement Tool: A validity and reliability study

The aim of this methodological study with a cross-sectional design study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Turkish form of the 5-item Compassion Measurement Tool. The sample was 402 patients in a university hospital. The Content Validity Index was 0.96. Total item correlation values were between 0.559 and 0.685. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.83. The scale could be used as five items, under a single factor as in the original version. A high correlation was found between patients' compassion perception and nursing care satisfaction scores. Turkish version of the 5-item Compassion Measurement Tool is a valid and reliable tool.

Effects of Relaxation-Focused Nursing Program in Women with Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundSurgical treatment is a major cause of hospitalization in ovarian cancer. In this process, physical problems, such as pain and changes in respiratory functions, and psychological problems, such as anxiety and stress, may develop. AimThis study aims to investigate the effects of the Relaxation-Focused Nursing Program on pain, anxiety, lung volume, level of knowledge, and nursing care satisfaction in ovarian cancer surgery. MethodA randomized controlled trial in which participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental (preoperative relaxation exercises and education; n = 24) or control (usual nursing care; n =22) groups. The intervention consisted of practicing four sessions of relaxation exercises and education in the hospital for two days before surgery. Data were collected using the Trait and State Anxiety Inventory, Surgical Information Form, and Perioperative Assessment Form. The results were analyzed using the Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. ResultsThe findings showed significant reductions in pain (p = .045) and anxiety scores (p < .001). The level of knowledge means scores were higher in the experimental group, but there was no significant difference between mean scores of spirometer volume and care satisfaction. ConclusionsThe program was more effective than usual nursing care in preoperative anxiety, pain, and level of knowledge. Although there was no difference between the care satisfaction scores of the patients, the reasons for care satisfaction were different in the program. Developing and implementing care that combines stress reduction interventions and preoperative education can improve the preoperative outcomes of patients.

TESTING A NEW MODEL OF REABLEMENT-FOCUSED INTEGRATED CARE IN ADULT DAY SERVICE USERS IN TAIWAN: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract There is a growing consensus that implementing personal-centered therapeutic activities at adult day services (ADS) leads to functional improvement in care recipients and reduces the burden on caregivers. Taiwan has introduced reablement-focused integrated care (RFIC) model for ADS users, the effects of this new model merit investigation. This study aimed to examine whether the RFIC model promotes physical and mental function in care recipients and improves caregiver satisfaction. We recruited ADS-care recipients and their family caregivers (N = 14 dyads) through purposive sampling for a quasiexperimental study. Six dyads were assigned to the RFIC intervention group and eight dyads to the control group. The RFIC intervention consisted of ten one-hour sessions over two months. The functional abilities of care recipients and the care satisfaction of caregivers were assessed at baseline and after the intervention. The RFIC group, compared to the control group, showed an improvement in care satisfaction score, and the group difference was significant (RFIC group: mean (SD) change score = 1.17 (2.64); control group: mean (SD) change score = −3.38 (2.20); p &amp;lt; 0.01). There were no differences in physical and mental function between the RFIC and control groups. These preliminary results suggest that when reablement is used as a means of personal-centered therapeutic training for ADS users, it can help caregivers cope with care problems and improve how they appraise their mastery and satisfaction as regards care. However, the effects of RFIC on the physical and mental function of care recipients require further investigation.

A Study on the Impact of Perioperative Pain Care Management on Pain, Comfort, and Defecation of Patients in Anorectal Surgery.

Purpose The aim of the study is to explore the impact of perioperative pain care management on patients' pain, comfort, and defecation in anorectal surgery. Methods From January to December 2021, 126 patients who underwent anorectal surgery in our department were selected for the study and were randomly divided into a study group and a control group of 63 patients each after consent was obtained from the patients. The control group was given the usual care protocol and the study group was given the perioperative pain care management on top of the usual care. The two groups of patients were compared in terms of postoperative anal pain rating, comfort score, time to first bowel movement and time spent in bowel movement, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) scores at night, related complications, and satisfaction with care. Results ① Postoperative anal pain was less severe in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). ② Postoperative comfort scores were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). ③ The time to first bowel movement and its duration after surgery were shorter in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). ④ Patients in the study group had lower postoperative night-time PSQI scores than the control group (P < 0.05). ⑤ Patients in the study group had a lower rate of postoperative complications than the control group (P < 0.05). ⑥ Patients in the study group had higher postoperative care satisfaction scores than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The application of perioperative pain care management to patients undergoing anorectal surgery plays an important role in reducing anal pain, improving treatment comfort, and relieving difficult defecation symptoms, with significant improvement in postoperative sleep quality and reduction in complications. It is worthy of clinical reference and promotion.

Patient satisfaction on nursing care: the case of in day surgery

Purpose: The study was conducted to assess day surgery patients’ satisfaction levels with nursing care. &#x0D; Materials and Methods: The study used a descriptive and cross-sectional design and was carried out through face-to-face interviews between January and March 2016 with 98 patients who were hospitalized in the day surgery unit of a university hospital, who were 18 years or older, spoke Turkish and were able to comprehend and answer the questions, and volunteered to take part in the study. A personal questionnaire containing questions about the patients' descriptive characteristics, and the Newcastle Satisfaction with Nursing Scales (NSNS), adapted into Turkish by Uzun, were used to collect the data. &#x0D; Results: The patients’ mean age in the study was 6.2±14.5 and 56.1% of them were women. The mean score of the Experience of Nursing Care Scale (ENCS) applied to the patients was 84.4±18.1 and the Satisfaction with Nursing Care Scale’s (SNCS) mean score was 82.4±19.2. The satisfaction level in surgical clinic patients was high in a statistically significant manner. There was a positive statistically significant correlation and between mean scores of the patients in ENCS and SNCS. The scores of the scales range from 0 to 100 points. A total score of 100 points indicate the highest satisfaction with all aspects of nursing care.&#x0D; Conclusion: It was determined that the patients' nursing care experience and nursing care satisfaction scores were high, and as the care experience total score increased, the nursing care satisfaction score increased.

Association between Postpartum Nutritional Status and Postpartum Depression Symptoms.

Taiwanese women may practice traditional confinement after childbirth, and no study has investigated the nutritional status and the effects of postpartum depression on such women. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between nutritional status and postpartum depression at 6–8 weeks postpartum. A cross-sectional study was conducted on postpartum women who returned to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic for routine examination from January 2016 to September 2017. A total of 344 women received assessments based on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). An EPDS score of ≥10 indicated the presence of postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS). A total of 97 women without such symptoms and 23 with PPDS completed nutritional parameter analyses and questionnaires. The results showed that the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD) was 8.4%. The proportion was 70% for those who practiced confinement at home, significantly higher than for those in the non-PPDS group (45%). The overall psychological stress score was significantly higher and the postpartum care satisfaction score was significantly lower in those with PPDS compared to those without. In terms of nutritional biomarkers, the plasma riboflavin levels in the PPDS group were significantly lower than those in their symptomless counterparts (13.9%). The vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency rates in the non-PPD and PPDS groups were 35%, 41%, 48%, 26%, respectively. However, compared with those in the non-PPDS group, those with PPDS had significantly higher ratios of Σn-6/Σn-3, C20:3n-6/C18:3n-6, and C20:4n-6/(C20:5n-3 + C22:6n-3) (by 8.2%, 79.7%, and 8.8%, respectively), whereas they had lower ratios of C22:6n-3/C22:5n-6 (by 15.5%). Higher plasma riboflavin and erythrocyte C16:1n-9, C24:1n-9, C18:3n-6, and C20:5n-3 levels and lower Σn-6 fatty acid and C22:5n-6 levels decreased the risk of PPD after type of confinement, overall mental stress scores, and postpartum care satisfaction scores were adjusted for the logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, the plasma riboflavin level and erythrocyte fatty acid composition are potentially major contributors to PPD development.

Optimisation of chemotherapy prescription and preparation in an ambulatory unit: Validation of the OPTIMA program.

We implemented the two-step OPTIMA program to anticipate chemotherapy prescription which aims to assess the discrepancy rate between anticipated and real prescription and its impact on waiting time and quality of care. This prospective study included cancer patients receiving any intravenous chemotherapy. The OPTIMA program consists in a nurse phone call and a blood sample two days before the planned treatment. Collected information and biological results were used by a physician to issue a non-effective (step 1) or effective (step 2) anticipated prescription the day before the consultation. The real prescription was given as usual by another physician on the day of the consultation. Waiting time was collected, and patients' satisfaction with care was assessed with the OUT-PATSAT35 questionnaire. Respectively, 540 and 979 consultations (283 and 294 patients) were analysed in both steps. The discrepancy rate was 8.7% (step 1). In routine practice, the OPTIMA program (step 2) reduced patients' waiting time (median time 55 vs. 95min, p<0.001). A high general care satisfaction score was observed in both steps (80.7% and 80.2%). This anticipation program demonstrated the accuracy of chemotherapy prescription, whatever the regimen and cancer site, and its impact on waiting time optimisation.

Application research of internet plus extended care mode in rehabilitation of orthopedic patients discharged

Objective To evaluate the effect of integrated service platform of extensional care based on the combined internet and extensional care model in the orthopedics nurse care. Methods Two hundred and eighty six hospitalized patients in the orthopedic department were randomly divided into two groups including experimental group (144 cases) and control group (142 cases) according to the random number table method. Patients in the control group received extensional care by traditional telephone follow-up, patients in the experimental group received extensional care by using the integrated service platform combing internet and extensional care. All the patients were evaluated using the self-made extensional care satisfaction questionnaire and Short Form 36 Questionnaire. Results The extensional care satisfaction scores of experimental group using internet plus extended care mode were respectively (74.4±5.3) points and (76.2±8.1) points at the time points of 3 months and 6 months after discharge from hospital; The extensional care satisfaction scores of control group were respectively (69.4±9.9) points and (70.1±12.2) points at the time points of 3 months and 6 months after discharge from hospital; The two groups had statistically comparative difference (t=7.40, 6.37, P < 0.01). There was a statistically significant improvement of extensional care satisfaction and physical function score and role-physical score and social function score in the experimental group compared with the control group both at the time points of 3 months and 6 months after discharge from hospital. There was a statistically significant improvement of vitality score and role-emotion score in the experimental group compared with the control group both at the time points of 1 month and 3 months after discharge from hospital (t=2.366-8.211, P < 0.05). Conclusions The effect of integrated service platform of extensional care based on the combined internet and extensional care model is better than traditional telephone follow-up, patients' satisfaction is higher. This new mode of service platform could greatly deepen the connotation of quality nursing, intensify the effect of extensional care, and reduce the working strength of nurse who did extensional care as while. Key words: Internet; Transitional care; Orthopedics

The Positive Association of End-of-Life Treatment Discussions and Care Satisfaction in the Nursing Home

With the progression of dementia, the need for families and health care providers to have discussions about end-of-life (EOL) treatments arises. EOL treatment decisions often involve whether or not medical interventions intended to prolong life—such as resuscitation, artificial nutrition and hydration, and use of antibiotics—are desired. It is unclear if family satisfaction with care in the nursing home may be associated with involvement in EOL treatment discussions. The frequency of discussions that family members reported having with health care team members regarding multiple life-sustaining treatments and symptom management for their relatives with advanced dementia were examined over a 6-month period along with the association of these particular discussions with care satisfaction over time. Results showed that greater frequency of discussion of EOL treatment wishes was positively associated with higher care satisfaction scores among family members of nursing home residents with dementia. When considered together, greater frequency of discussion of artificial hydration was uniquely associated with greater care satisfaction and increased care satisfaction over time. Social workers must ensure that EOL treatment discussions with older adults in the nursing home and their family members take place and that preferences are communicated among the various interdisciplinary health team members.

Disclosure of complementary and alternative medicine use to health care providers among HIV-infected women.

To determine prevalence and predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use disclosure to health care providers and whether CAM use disclosure is associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) adherence among HIV-infected women, we analyzed longitudinal data collected between October 1994 and March 2002 from HIV-infected CAM-using women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Repeated measures Poisson regression models were constructed to evaluate associations of selected predictors with CAM use disclosure and association between CAM use disclosure and HAART adherence. A total of 1,377 HIV-infected women reported CAM use during study follow-up and contributed a total of 4,689 CAM-using person visits. The overall prevalence of CAM use disclosure to health care providers was 36% across study visits. Women over 45 years old, with a college education, or with health insurance coverage were more likely to disclose their CAM use to health care providers, whereas women identified as non-Hispanic Black or other ethnicities were less likely to communicate their CAM usage. More health care provider visits, more CAM domains used, and higher health care satisfaction scores had significant relationships with increased levels of CAM use disclosure. Restricting analysis to use of herbal or nonherbal medications only, similar results were obtained. Compared to other CAM domains, mind-body practice had the lowest prevalence of CAM use disclosure. Additionally, CAM use disclosure was significantly associated with higher HAART adherence. From this study, we showed that a high percentage of HIV-infected women did not discuss their CAM use with health care providers. Interventions targeted towards both physicians and patients may enhance communication of CAM use, avoid potential adverse events and drug interactions, and enhance HAART adherence.

Effects of an Internet-based Intervention on Plasma Glucose Levels in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

This study applied a 12-week educational intervention that used both the cellular phone and the Internet to send short message service. Forty-two diabetic patients were asked to access a Web site by using a cellular phone or wire Internet and input their blood glucose levels every day. Patients were sent the optimal recommendations by both the cellular phone and the Internet. After 12 weeks, the patients had a mean decrease of 28.6 mg/dL in fasting plasma glucose and 78.4 mg/dL in 2-hour postprandial blood sugar levels and a mean increase in the care satisfaction score.

Eliciting users' views of ECT in two mental health trusts with a user-designed questionnaire

Background: Users' views of the process of ECT have not been systematically assessed in prospective studies.Aims: (i) To determine the ability of a questionnaire to quantify user satisfaction with ECT; (ii) to elicit users' views of the treatment process; and (iii) to compare findings across two mental health trusts.Method: A self-report questionnaire was designed by a mental health service user group and sent to all patients completing a course of bilateral ECT during the study period. Scored items covered preparation for treatment, information giving, consent and adverse effects. Non-scored items included questions on compulsion, previous ECT and intention to accept future treatment. Open-ended comments were invited and analysed qualitatively.Results: The response rate was 41%. Users having ECT for the first time and those reporting they would ‘never have ECT again’ had lower care satisfaction scores and higher adverse effect scores than those who had had ECT before and those who were prepared to have ECT again. Mean care satisfaction scores differed significantly between the two trusts but reported levels of adverse effects were similar, and high, in both.Conclusions: Prospective research with a user-designed scale may elicit more critical responses than clinician-designed scales used in previous studies.Declarations of Interest: None

The home care satisfaction measure: a client-centered approach to assessing the satisfaction of frail older adults with home care services.

The Home Care Satisfaction Measure (HCSM) is an easy to administer, psychometrically sound instrument based on consumer-defined notions of satisfaction, including perspectives of ethnic minorities. The HCSM provides an overall home care satisfaction score and subscale scores for 5 common services, all on a 0-100 scale. Focus groups with African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White older adults were audiotaped. Tapes were transcribed and analyzed with grounded theory methods. Correlational and common factor analyses were conducted to select items, and the instrument was field tested with 228 frail, low-income, older home care recipients. Test-retest reliabilities ranged from .68 to .88, with high internal consistency reliabilities. Substantial concurrent validity was achieved for subscale and overall HCSM scores. Home care satisfaction was not related to gender, age or race but was negatively associated with physical disability. Significant social desirability effects were found. In the increasingly important area of home care, the HCSM is the first measure developed on the basis of the views of older consumers that also meets standard psychometric criteria. The HCSM provides a consumer-based indicator of quality and can be used to examine changes in satisfaction over time and differences among providers or within a single agency.