Abstract
Background
Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are important tools for evaluating the quality of care from patients' perspectives. Nevertheless, no validated PREMs exist for maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients in Thailand. This study aimed to develop a Thai version of the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System In-center Hemodialysis (CAHPS-ICH) survey and assess its validity and reliability.
Method
We translated the original CAHPS-ICH® survey into Thai and administered it to MHD patients at the hemodialysis center of Chiang Mai University Hospital. Correlation analysis was employed to evaluate the construct validity of each domain (Nephrologists’ communication and caring [NCC], quality of dialysis center cares and operation [QoC] and providing information to patients [PI]) and the global rating scales. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively.
Results
A total of 189 patients were recruited. The NCC domain exhibited the strongest correlation with the doctor global rating scale (r = 0.60) and displayed good internal consistency (α = 0.86). The QoC domain indicated positive correlations with the staff and center rating scales (r = 0.65 and 0.58, respectively) and demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (α = 0.78). The PI domain showed a moderate association with the center global rating scales (r = 0.31), but its internal consistency was not demonstrated (α = 0.53). Most multi-item scale questions showed satisfactory test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.50–0.85).
Conclusion
The “Thai CAHPS-ICH” survey proves to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing the patient experience among MHD patients at Chiang Mai University Hospital.