Development and Validation of a Patient Satisfaction Survey for Comprehensive Medication Management.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive medication management (CMM) services are a relatively new standard for clinical practice. A patient satisfaction tool for pharmacists providing comparable pharmacy services is essential for measuring quality and sustainability. OBJECTIVE: To develop a psychometrically valid questionnaire for measuring patient satisfaction for CMM services. METHODS: A patient satisfaction survey tool was developed through a multiphase development process. Validation studies were conducted across 2 urban ambulatory care health system settings providing CMM services. The survey consisted of 10 items related to 3 domains: medication-related needs, pharmacist-patient engagement, and overall satisfaction. Using a 4-point scale, the surveys were mailed, collected, and analyzed for descriptive statistics, internal consistency, and factorial composition. RESULTS: Total surveys returned for analysis numbered 195, with an overall survey response rate of 19.2%. Factor analysis and item analysis identified 1 factor of pharmacists' patient care services. The factor was named "patient satisfaction." CONCLUSIONS: The instrument that was developed provided 1 factor of CMM services. This brief patient satisfaction tool appears to be reliable and valid and may serve other CMM providers to assess 1 measure of quality assurance upon further evaluation.