The Care Perception Questionnaire

Abstract

Summary: Major changes have taken place over the last decade in the mental health care services in Belgium as well as in the rest of Europe. To track these developments, Shepherd and colleagues developed an instrument to assess the degree of perceived accomplishment of 11 key areas in such care. This instrument was translated and adapted as the Care Perception Questionnaire. In clinical settings the instrument can be a good tool for exploring the perspective of patients and professionals regarding the 11 key areas. However, for research purposes it is not practical to work with the 28 separate items or with the 11 key areas. The goal of this study is to reduce the 11 key areas to a smaller number of scales with good psychometric properties and with relevance to clinical practice. Using principal-component analysis by means of promax rotation and scale construction, we developed four statistically reliable and meaningful scales: (1) support in social relations and practical aid, (2) treatment and monitoring of the course of the illness, (3) information and insight, and (4) coordination and continuity of care. The relevance of the findings for clinical work and for research is discussed.