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Biomedical subjects

J E Ware

Publications and source records attributed to J E Ware.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1978

Effects of acquiescent response set on patient satisfaction ratings.

This paper summarizes the results of three studies of bias in patient satisfaction questionnaires due to acquiescent response set (ARS), a tendency to agree with statements of opinion regardless of content. Three independent surveys (N = 1,280) were fielded using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Across the three field tests, 40 to 60 per cent of respondents manifested some degree of ARS and from 2 to 10 per cent demonstrated noteworthy ARS tendencies. Occurrences of ARS accounted for significant upward bias in satisfaction scores computed from favorably worded questionnaire items and scales constructed from those items and significant downward bias in scores computed from unfavorably worded items and scales constructed from those items. These biases were greatest for groups reporting lower educational attainment or less income. An example was presented to show that mean satisfaction scores for groups differing in education were biased by ARS to such an extent that group differences in satisfaction were overestimated by favorably worded items and were missed entirely by unfavorably worded items. Balanced satisfaction scales, i.e., those containing both favorably and unfavorably worded items, were not correlated or correlated only slightly with ARS; therefore, group means for balanced scales were not biased by ARS or were biased only slightly.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Physician conduct and other factors that affect consumer satisfaction with medical care.

Major dimensions of consumer perceptions regarding physicians and medical care services were identified using factor analysis of survey data, as follows: accessibility, availability of family doctors, availability of hospitals/specialists, completeness of facilities, continuity of care, and physician conduct (art and technical aspects of quality). Scores for these dimensions and multivariate statistical methods were used to predict general satisfaction ratings for a cross section of adults and for groups differing in age, education, health status, and sex. Physician conduct was clearly the most important factor in relation to general satisfaction with care for the total sample and for all groups studied. Other factors also were important, suggesting that more than one interpretation of general satisfaction scores should be considered when consumer satisfaction surveys are used to support the planning of educational programs in medicine and the delivery of services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The meaning of health: understanding functional limitations.

Results of psychometric studies of 14 questionnaire items commonly used to define chronic functional limitations due to poor health are reported. Self-administered questionnaires were used to gather data from 1,209 persons 14 years of age and older. Data were used to study: scalability of items; test-retest reliability of alternate forms of scales; validity of scales in relation to 13 health status variables and age; and precision of scales in detecting differences in health. Three scales pertaining to chronic limitations in mobility, physical activity, and social role activity functions satisfied the criteria of scalogram analysis. Four-month test-retest reliability estimates for alternate forms were very high. Strong associations (some curvilinear) were observed among functional limitation scales, and between these scales and survey measures of physical abilities, general health perceptions, health worry/concern, chronic disease conditions, and age. Measures of physical abilities and functional limitations appeared to define opposite ends of a function-dysfunction continuum. Statistical modeling of precision indicates that, due to the skewed distribution of scores, large sample sizes would be required to detect differences in functional limitations in studies using only a posttest.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1976

Scales for measuring general health perceptions.

This article reports on the construction and testing of eight health perception scales from 32 items on a standardized survey instrument designed for self-administration, the Health Perceptions Questionnaire (Form II). The scales measure perceptions of prior health, current health, health outlook, resistance/susceptibility to illness, health worry/concern, sickness orientation, rejection of sick role, and attitude toward going to the doctor. Field testing revealed that the scales are valid, reliable, and stable over time for diverse populations. It is recommended that the scales be used in studies requiring general health measures. Suggestions for future research are offered.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1976

Income group differences in relationships among survey measures of physical and mental health.

The present research tested the hypothesis that the experience of health is hierarchically organized such that gratification of physical health needs must precede gratification of mental health needs. It was reasoned that because the nondisadvantaged possess greater resources for the gratification of health needs in general, symptoms of mental illness would be more salient for this group and thus better able to explain variance in both mental and physical illness. On the other hand, it was reasoned that symptoms of physical illness would be more salient and thus better able to explain variance in both mental and physical illness for the disadvantaged. Results of the study indicate income group differences in patterns of relationships among health variables, supporting the hypothesis and suggesting important differences in the validity of health measures across income groups. The results are related to previous findings in medical sociology, and suggestions for future research are made.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1975

Consumer perceptions of health care services: implications for academic medicine.

The factor analytic development of various measures of consumer perceptions regarding characteristics of doctors and health care services is described. Index scores meeting factor analytic and reliability criteria were used to study the importance of consumer perceptions in relation to behavioral outcomes. Numerous dimensions of consumer perceptions were identified and described, including beliefs about doctor conduct in terms of quality of care and humaneness of health care delivery as well as satisfaction with such enabling components as the continuity of care, availability and convenience of services, and various access mechanisms (cost, payment mechanisms, and ease of emergency care facilities). Measures of these perceptions were shown to be related to differences in several estimates of health services utilization. The use of the index scores which have met empirical criteria is in contrast to the common practice of using individual questionnaire items as the unit of analysis in health care research. Findings are discussed in relation to program planning and evaluation in medical education, and suggestions for future research are noted.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1975

Dimensions of patient attitudes regarding doctors and medical care services.

The factor analytic development and validation of numerous index scores to measure patient attitudes regarding characteristics of doctors and medical care services is described. Index scores meeting factor analytic criteria and found to be reliable were used to study the nature and number of attitudinal dimensions underlying patient satisfaction. The use of index scores which have met logical and empirical criteria is in contrast to the common practice of using individual questionnaire items as the unit of analysis. Four major dimensions of patient attitudes were identified and described, including attitudes toward doctor conduct (humanness and quality) and such enabling components as availability of services, continuity/convenience of care and access mechanisms (cost, payment mechanisms, and ease of emergency care). Measures of attitudes toward caring (humanness) and curing (quality/competence) aspects of doctor conduct appear to reflect the same underlying attitudinal dimension. Findings are discussed in relation to concepts and measures mentioned in the published literature and suggestions are offered for future research.

Attitude↗
PubMed1975

The Dr. Fox effect: a study of lecturer effectiveness and ratings of instruction.

Students viewed one of six lectures which varied only in substantive teaching points (content) covered and seductiveness. These 207 students then rated the effectiveness of the presentation (satisfaction ratings) and completed a 26-item achievement test. Students who viewed high seduction lectures performed better on the achievement test than did students who viewed low seduction lectures. Similarly, students who viewed lectures high in content performed better on the cognitive test than did students who viewed low-content lectures. The relationship between staisfaction ratings and student achievement was not perfect. Students gave higher ratings to seductive lectures. However, ratings reflected differences in content-coverage only under low seduction conditions. The ratings were not sensitive to variations in content-coverage when lectures were highly seductive. The "Doctor Fox Effect" appears to be more than an illusion. Seductiveness affects both student ratings of instruction and achievement.

Achievement↗