[Feedback on service provision in cancer patients using the Ward Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSQ)--testing a new tool]. / Einschätzung von Visite und Stationsalltag bei Krebspatienten mit dem Stationsfragebogen (SFB)--Erprobung eines neuen Instrumentes.

BACKGROUND: Collecting information on patients' experiences and opinions is prerequisite to improving the quality of services at a ward. The Ward Satisfaction Questionnaire (WSQ) was developed for this purpose. We investigated its psychometric characteristics and percentage of missing values. METHODS: Over a period of 4 months, all patients at an interdisciplinary and an oncology ward were asked to complete the WSQ. Concordant validity was assessed using the Patient Involvement in Care Scales (PICS). RESULTS: 68 of 99 administered questionnaires were completed (response rate 69 %). The median of missing values per item was 6 % (0 -28 %). Internal consistency of the WSQ scales ranged from 0.68 ("Accessibility of Doctors") to 0.94 ("Doctor Consultations"). Cronbach's Alpha of the total score was 0.94. Scaling errors were 0 % ("Ward Rounds", "Doctor Consulations", "Accessibility Nurses") to 17 % ("Accessibility Doctors"). Variances of WSQ scales were relatively low. Correlation patterns of WSQ and PICS support the validity of WSQ. CONCLUSIONS: The WSQ facilitates systematic feedback on inpatient services. Psychometric characteristics are good and validation in a larger patient sample is warranted.