Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate parental satisfaction with hospital care in general pediatric units. A search for a valid parental satisfaction instrument resulted in the selection of the Pediatric Family Satisfaction Questionnaire (PFSQ) (Budreau & Chase, 1994). This paper will report on the psychometric testing of the PFSQ.
Methods: The data were retrieved from several years of patient satisfaction surveys collected at a large Midwest hospital and clinics. The SPSS statistical software was used to test the reliability and construct validity of the PFSQ.
Results: Alpha for the total instrument was .83, based on 327 cases and 35 items. Factor analysis indicated two main factors, nursing care and medical care, with a total of 30 items.
Conclusion: The PFSQ is considered a promising instrument for evaluating parental satisfaction in general, inpatient pediatric units. urther development of the instrument is suggested.