Peter Bower1, Nicola Mead, Martin Roland. 1. National Primary Care Research and Development Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. peter.bower@man.ac.uk
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patient self-report measures of primary care are being used increasingly for quality assessment and improvement. The General Practice Assessment Survey (GPAS) is a widely used measure. However, it is important that the measures used are valid and interpretable. Factor analysis is a useful method to assist in validation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the underlying structure of responses to the GPAS. METHODS: Factor analysis of data from a number of patient surveys was carried out using the GPAS in primary care. RESULTS: Analysis indicated that three factors underlie responses to the GPAS. These were named "access", "patient-centredness" and "nursing". These factors were replicated in a second sample of GPAS survey data. CONCLUSION: Responses to the GPAS can best be summarized in terms of three underlying factors, which supports previous conceptual work. These factors may also have utility for reducing the overall length of the GPAS, and in reducing the need for multiple hypothesis testing associated with the use of the original scales.
BACKGROUND:Patient self-report measures of primary care are being used increasingly for quality assessment and improvement. The General Practice Assessment Survey (GPAS) is a widely used measure. However, it is important that the measures used are valid and interpretable. Factor analysis is a useful method to assist in validation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the underlying structure of responses to the GPAS. METHODS: Factor analysis of data from a number of patient surveys was carried out using the GPAS in primary care. RESULTS: Analysis indicated that three factors underlie responses to the GPAS. These were named "access", "patient-centredness" and "nursing". These factors were replicated in a second sample of GPAS survey data. CONCLUSION: Responses to the GPAS can best be summarized in terms of three underlying factors, which supports previous conceptual work. These factors may also have utility for reducing the overall length of the GPAS, and in reducing the need for multiple hypothesis testing associated with the use of the original scales.
Authors: Upali W Jayasinghe; Judith Proudfoot; Christopher A Barton; Cheryl Amoroso; Chris Holton; Gawaine Powell Davies; Justin Beilby; Mark F Harris Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2009-06-03 Impact factor: 3.186
Authors: Vari M Drennan; Mary Halter; Louise Joly; Heather Gage; Robert L Grant; Jonathan Gabe; Sally Brearley; Wilfred Carneiro; Simon de Lusignan Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2015-05 Impact factor: 5.386