Health-related quality of life and the physician-patient alliance: a preliminary investigation of ultra-brief, real-time measures for primary care

Abstract

PurposeMany psychometrically sound measures exist but feasibility makes real-time use difficult. This study validates two ultra-brief, patient-rated instruments, the Wellness Rating Scale (WRS) and the Provider Alliance Scale (PAS).MethodsThe WRS and the EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) were completed by patients in a primary care practice (n=97) and a non-clinical sample of graduate students (n=122). The WRS and the Patient-Completed Health Outcome Measures Information System-Global 10 (PROMIS) were completed by patients in a primary care setting (n=305). The WRS and PROMIS were also administered to graduate students (n=158). The PAS and the Patient Physician Working Alliance were administered to a primary care sample of 40 and a retrospective sample of students (n=228).ResultsThe WRS generated reliable scores, with coefficient alphas ranging from .83 to .91. Bivariate correlations between the WRS and the EQ VAS (r=.55-.75) and PROMIS (r=.64-73) indicate moderate-to-strong concurrent validity. The larger coefficients were with patient samples. Construct validity was evidenced by higher levels of distress for chronic conditions as well as for clinical samples. The PAS achieved an alpha of .94 for the primary care sample and .87 for the retrospective sample and bivariate correlations (r=.61-.72) indicate moderate-to-strong evidence of concurrent validity.ConclusionsThe WRS and PAS demonstrate sufficient reliability and validity to move to the next phase of research: a randomized clinical trial comparing the use of real-time feedback from the two measures to treatment as usual targeting outcomes of chronic disease patients.