Validation of a residential aged care consumer experience survey, 2019. (22nd December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forder, Peta M.; Byles, Julie E.; Golenko, Xanthe; Cyarto, Elizabeth; Donohoe, Stuart G.; Zernike, Wendy; Lowthian, Judy A.
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal on ageing. Volume 41:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: e159
• Page End: e171
• Publication Date: 2021-12-22
• Subjects: nursing homes/long term care -- patient satisfaction -- quality of health care -- reproducibility of results -- surveys and questionnaires; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Australia -- Periodicals; Old age -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.13034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-6381

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Residential aged care (RAC) quality is often measured as part of regulatory compliance. To inform care delivery and service improvements, we developed a consumer experience survey. Methods: Validation study incorporating 2018–2019 survey data ( n = 1504 individuals, 25 RAC homes) and test‐retest reliability evaluation. Results: Most of the respondents were women (67%) with 38% of the surveys completed by residents, 39% with staff support, and 23% by family members. Moderate‐to‐high correlations (0.46–0.84) between individual items indicate the survey is a coherent measure of satisfaction; good inter‐item correlation was found across all sections (0.61–0.70) with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.90–0.94); and moderate correlation for test‐retest reliability was found on the same individual when providing an overall recommendation score (individual ICC 0.684). Conclusions: The RAC Consumer Experience Survey is a validated measure of lived experience and satisfaction that aligns closely with the Australian Aged Care Quality Standards, affording providers a standardised tool for benchmarking and informing care quality across the sector.