Validation of the Patient Reported Experience Measure for Addiction Treatment (PREMAT)
Abstract
Background: A growing body of literature supports the use of patient reported experience measures (PREMs) to monitor provision of patient centred care to people accessing health services. However, there is an absence of research into PREMs in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) field. The PREM for Addiction Treatment (PREMAT) is a 33-item self-report measure. Development of the PREMAT was guided by the Picker Institutes domains of client centred care, and was informed by feedback from people accessing a range of substance dependence treatment settings. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PREMAT.
Method:A cross-sectional survey was completed with people attending residential substance dependence treatment provided by The Salvation Army across the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory (n = 222). Factor structure, internal reliability, and validity were examined. Test-retest reliably was assessed with a subsample of participants (n = 61).
Results: Internal consistency was high for the total scale (a= .95). Exploratory factory analysis identified 7 preliminary factors. These included (1) respect for preferences, values and expressed needs, (2) program structure, (3) treatment environment, (4) emotional support, (5) coordination of care, (6) personal responsibility, and (7) access to care. Internal consistency for all the subscales were acceptable to good, with the exception of the access to care subscale (a = .54). Test-re-test was good. The PREMAT was positively correlated with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (r = .72).
Discussion: The PREMAT is a promising PREM for people attending substance dependence treatment. The current study demonstrates that it is feasible for use within residential settings, with results indicating evidence of validity and reliability. Future research is needed to confirm the factor structure, and to examine the applicability of the measure across different treatment settings.
