What dimensions underlie patient responses to the General Practice Assessment Survey? A factor analytic study.
BACKGROUND
Patient self-report measures of primary care are being used increasingly for quality assessment and improvement. The General Practice Assessment Survey (GPAS) is a widely used measure. However, it is important that the measures used are valid and interpretable. Factor analysis is a useful method to assist in validation.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the underlying structure of responses to the GPAS.


METHODS
Factor analysis of data from a number of patient surveys was carried out using the GPAS in primary care.


RESULTS
Analysis indicated that three factors underlie responses to the GPAS. These were named "access", "patient-centredness" and "nursing". These factors were replicated in a second sample of GPAS survey data.


CONCLUSIONS
Responses to the GPAS can best be summarized in terms of three underlying factors, which supports previous conceptual work. These factors may also have utility for reducing the overall length of the GPAS, and in reducing the need for multiple hypothesis testing associated with the use of the original scales.
D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires