Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the CARE Measure in a primary care setting in Hong Kong

<b>Background</b> The Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure is a validated patient-rated measure of consultation quality in the UK. <p></p> <b>Objectives</b> To provide preliminary evidence of the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the CARE Measure in a primary care setting in Hong Kong. <p></p> <b>Methods</b> Following translation, back-translation and pilot testing, a Chinese version of the CARE Measure was developed and tested on 253 unselected primary care patients in Hong Kong. <p></p> <b>Results</b> The Chinese-CARE Measure was regarded by patients as being relevant to their consultations, with on average only 5.5% of patients rating the items as not important (range 3.6–10.2% for individual items), suggesting high acceptability and face validity. This was also supported by the relatively low number of ‘not applicable’ responses recorded for the measure (average 8.2%, range 0.4–21.7% for individual items). Internal reliability was high (Cronbach's alpha 0.962) and was reduced by the removal of any of the 10 items, and homogeneity was indicated by high corrected item-total correlations (0.786–0.876). Factor analysis showed a single solution for the Chinese-CARE Measure items with high item loadings (0.821–0.891). Construct validity was further supported by significant hypothesized relationships with other variables (patient enablement and patient satisfaction). Consultation length and continuity of care were independent predictors of Chinese-CARE Measure score in stepwise multiple regression analysis but together explained >10% of variation in CARE score. <p></p> <b>Conclusion</b> These preliminary data support the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the CARE Measure in primary care in Hong Kong