Validation of the Italian version of the EUROPEP instrument for patient evaluation of general practice care

Abstract

Objective: To describe the validity and reliability of the Italian version of the EUROPEP instrument for patient evaluation of general practice care. Methods: A survey was performed among patients who visited a general practice (n 0983), using the 23-item EUROPEP questionnaire. The scores are aggregated in two dimensions: ''clinical behaviour'' and ''organization of care''. The cultural adaptation of the questionnaire into Italian has been performed by using the formal translation procedures applied in other European countries. Data were analysed with respect to item response rate, item Áscale correlation, internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the instrument. Results: The item response rate was good for 17 items, acceptable for four items and problematic for one item. The item Áscale correlation largely exceeded a value of 0.40 for all items in both scales. The internal consistency of the aggregated scores was also very good, the reliability coefficients being 0.95 for ''clinical behaviour'' and 0.90 for ''organization of care''. As expected, older age and better health status were associated with more positive evaluation of care. Conclusion:Our study confirms that, even in its Italian version, the EUROPEP is a valid and easy-to-use instrument for gathering information on patients' experience with and evaluation of general practice care.

Data quality and confirmatory factor analysis of the Danish EUROPEP questionnaire on patient evaluation of general practice

“…In agreement with other authors we found a skewed distribution for almost all items [23]. Consequently, the ceiling effect was high indicating that the full evaluation range was not captured [16], which may lower the responsiveness of the questionnaire [24].…”

The Use of EUROPEP in South Africa: An Internationally Standardised Instrument to Evaluate General Practice

“…The finding is consistent with that of a previous study (Milano et al,2007). Item ceiling effects were minimal.…”

“…As additional evidence for construct validity, higher educational attainment was associated with dissatisfaction, which is also found in other studies (Peersman et al, 2002;Rees, 1994). In agreement with some other studies (Milano et al, 2007;Kersnik, 2000) and a meta analysis of 110 studies of patient satisfaction there was no average difference in satisfaction with medical care between women and men (Hall & Dornan, 1990). The role that gender plays in patient satisfaction and the gender differences in patient satisfaction may need to be explored further utilizing gender analysis of patient satisfaction data and more gender-sensitive patient satisfaction measures.…”

“…Item ceiling effects were minimal. Other studies found much higher ceiling effects (Milano et al, 2007;Vedsted, Sokolowski & Heje, 2008;Da deviren & Akturk, 2004).…”

A voz dos utilizadores dos cuidados de saúde primários da região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo, Portugal

“…In fact, this was an a priori expected result, given the similar results previously obtained by us and by other studies of satisfaction 17,19,20,25,26 . People with education lesser than the basic education showed the best satisfaction ratings (79.5%); retired people, possibly due to their age, were those who showed the highest satisfaction (80.6); a larger experience makes users increasingly satisfied, especially with the interpersonal component of medical care (first visit: 80.5%; more visits: 82.0%) and nursing care (1st visit: 81.5%; more visits: 83.3%); users of USF showed higher levels of satisfaction than those of UCSP (72.7%) and, within the USF, model B (79.5%) presented better satisfaction than model A (76.8%); the larger units are those which reveal worse levels of satisfaction, no matter the management model followed; and significant asymmetry in satisfaction was detected among the LVT Region's ACeS.…”