Development of a patient experience questionnaire for primary care mental health

Introduction: There are no validated measures available for use in assessing patients' views of the quality of primary care mental healthcare at practice level. Methods: The Patient Experience Questionnaire was developed through an initial information-gathering phase with focus groups followed by questionnaire development and validation with patients in nine general practices in the West Midlands. Statistical analyses were performed to test the internal consistency, validity and reliability of the questionnaire. Results: Fifty-six patients participated in focus groups, and 241 patients completed the questionnaire. The 20-item questionnaire had good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.94) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.859; p = 0.01). Discussion: The Patient Experience Questionnaire appears to be a valid and reliable instrument, able to assess patients' views of the quality of primary care mental healthcare at practice level.