Development, validation and application of a patient satisfaction scale for a community pharmacy medicines-management service

Objective: To develop, validate and apply a scale to measure patient satisfaction in a randomised controlled trial of community pharmacy service. Methods: Published scales were reviewed to inform development of the patient satisfaction scale. Questionnaires were sent to patients in the control (n = 500) and intervention (n = 941) groups of a randomised controlled trial of community pharmacy-led management of coronary heart disease at baseline and 12-month follow-up. Any underlying main factors were assessed with exploratory factor analysis. Reliability and construct validity were tested. The 15-item scale was used to compare patient satisfaction across arms with their most recent pharmacy visit. Results: Response rates were 92% (461/500) for control and 96% (903/941) for intervention groups at baseline and 85% control (399/472) and intervention (810/941) at follow-up. At baseline satisfaction was very similar in the intervention and control groups (median scores of 42). At follow-up mean satisfaction had significantly improved for the intervention compared with the control (median scores of 46 compared with 43; P < 0.01); intervention females were more likely to be satisfied with the service than males (49 compared with 44; P < 0.01). Three main factors explained the majority of the data variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.7–0.9 for both groups over time for all factors and total scale. An increase in the overall satisfaction corresponding to a decrease in subjects wanting that particular service to be provided during their next visit indicated construct validity of the scale. Conclusion: A new scale of patient satisfaction with community pharmacy services was developed and shown to be reliable and valid. Its application showed increased satisfaction in the intervention group receiving a new pharmacy service