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International Journal for Quality in Health Care Advance Access originally published online on July 17, 2008
International Journal for Quality in Health Care 2008 20(5):314-323; doi:10.1093/intqhc/mzn030
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press in association with the International Society for Quality in Health Care; all rights reserved

Patient perceptions of hospital discharge: reliability and validity of a Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire

Heather Hadjistavropoulos1, Henry Biem2, Donald Sharpe1, Michelle Bourgault-Fagnou1 and Jennifer Janzen1

1 Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
2 Department of Medicine, Lakeshore General Hospital, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada

Background. Review of the literature reveals a need to develop a questionnaire that measures patient perceptions of factors impacting continuity of care following discharge from hospital. Such a measure has the potential to guide quality improvement initiatives related to continuity of care.

Objective. Our objective was to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a measure that would meet this need, the Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire (PCCQ).

Method. The PCCQ was administered to 204 inpatients 4 weeks after discharge. The questionnaire was assessed by item and principal components analysis. Factors derived from principal components analysis were assessed for internal consistency and construct validity.

Results. A principal components analysis resulted in six subscales including perceptions of: (1) relationships with providers in hospital, (2) information transfer to patients, (3) relationships with providers in community, (4) management of written forms, (5) management of follow-up and (6) management of communication among providers. These subscales were internally consistent in our sample and demonstrated construct validity through correlations with other related constructs.

Conclusion. This initial study supports the reliability and validity of the PCCQ for measuring patient perceptions of factors central to continuity of care. The questionnaire subscales correspond to the theoretical components of continuity of care that have been proposed in the literature, namely informational, relational and management continuity. The subscales may be of value for identifying problems in continuity of care and for evaluating interventions aimed at improving continuity of care for patients after hospital discharge.

Keywords: continuity of care, hospital discharge, information, provider relationships, management, hospital processes, questionnaire, psychometrics

Address reprint requests to: Heather Hadjistavropoulos, E-mail: hadjista{at}uregina.ca

Accepted for publication June 18, 2008.


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