Are important patient-rated outcomes in community mental health care explained by only one factor?
BACKGROUND
The study tested whether four commonly used patient-rated outcomes are explained by only one factor, reflecting a general appraisal tendency of patients.


METHODS
Quality of life, needs and symptoms were rated by 92 patients in community mental health care at baseline and after 18 months and 6 years follow-up periods. At follow ups treatment satisfaction was also assessed. Scores and change scores were subjected to factor analyses. We then tested which individual items predicted factor scores.


RESULTS
One factor explained between 55% and 66% of the variance of the tested patient-rated outcomes cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Only change scores of treatment satisfaction loaded on a separate factor. Seven items consistently explained more than 80% of the variance of the general factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Four important patient-rated outcomes are uniformly and substantially influenced by a general tendency for positive or negative appraisals. This tendency can be assessed more simply than using currently established methods.
Hansson
L
L
Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. lars.hansson@med.lu.se
Björkman
T
T
Priebe
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012944:Social Support