Development and validation of the chronic condition physician-patient relationship scale (CC-PPR): A patient-informed measurement tool

OBJECTIVE: Several tools exist to measure the physician-patient relationship; however few are specific to those with chronic physical health conditions, and none to date have been derived from the patient's perspective. This research aimed to develop and validate a patient-informed tool for measuring the physician-patient relationship with patients who have a chronic physical health condition.

METHODS: Study 1: An Australian sample of participants with a diagnosed chronic physical health condition and a self-reported good physician-patient relationship completed a three round Delphi poll to determine items of the chronic condition physician-patient relationship scale (CC-PPR). Fifty-two participants completed round one, 33 completed round two, and 24 completed all three rounds. Study 2: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted on a separate sample (N = 226) to explore the factor structure of the CC-PPR.

RESULTS: The CC-PPR comprised 22 items within a single-factor structure which demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.97) and sound convergent validity.

DISCUSSION: The CC-PPR reliably measures observable, concrete, and specific physician behaviours that patients with chronic physical health conditions believe are critical in forming a good physician-patient relationship. The CC-PPR has potential application in research, educational, and self-assessment contexts, including for the evaluation and development of competence in post-graduate and professional settings.