Perceived Quality of Medical Care (PQMC)


An important outcome of medical care is the patient's satisfaction with that care. This perception is highly related to patients' continued choice of the medical care facility for future care. It also is associated with whether the patient is likely to consider suing the medical care facility. The communication of the medical and service personnel with the patient plays a major role in the patients' satisfaction with the quality of medical care received. The PQMC instrument was designed to provide a simple, general measure of patients' overall quality of medical care they receive. Alpha reliability estimates should be expected to be above .90 for this instrument.

Directions: Please indicate on the six items below how you feel about the quality of medical care you have received. Circle one, and only one, response for each item. The middle score (4) indicates you are undecided. Score numbers closer to the adjective you think is most representative of your view indicate stronger views.

1. High Quality 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Low Quality

2. Personable 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Impersonal

3. Uncaring 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Caring

4. Concerned 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Unconcerned

5. Beneficial 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not Beneficial

6. Unsatisfactory 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Satisfactory

Scoring:

Step 1. Add the numbers circled for items 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Step 2. Add the numbers circled fro items 3 and 6.

Step 3. Complete the following formula: PQMC = 32 + score of Step 2 - score of Step 1.

Source:

Richmond, V. P., Smith, R. S., Heisel, A. M., & McCroskey, J. C. (1998). The impact of communication apprehension and fear of talking with a physician and perceived medical outcomes. Communication Research Reports, 15, 344-353.