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1 Kneebone, I.I., Hull, S.L., McGurk, R., & Cropley, M. (2012). Assessing the Reliability and Validity of a Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire (NREQ) for use in Inpatient Neurorehabilitation Settings. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 26, 834-842. Running Title: Neurorehabilitation Experience Long Title: Assessing the Reliability and Validity of a Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire (NREQ) for use in Inpatient Neurorehabilitation Settings Authors: Ian I. Kneebone, PsychD 1 2 , Samantha L Hull, DClinPsy 1 3 , Rhona McGurk, DClinPsych 1 4 & Mark Cropley, PhD 2 Affiliations: ¹Surrey Community Health, Leatherhead, UK ²Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK 3 Albany Rehabilitation Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK 4 Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK Address for correspondence: Dr Ian Kneebone Haslemere Hospital Church Lane Haslemere SURREY GU27 2BJ UK Phone: +44 (0) 1483 782360 Fax: +44 (0) 1483 782398 Email: [email protected] Word Count: 3784, excluding abstract, references and tables Number of tables: 5

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Page 1: Kneebone, I.I., Hull, S.L., McGurk, R., & Cropley, M. (2012). …epubs.surrey.ac.uk/802906/1/Cropley 2012 Assessing the... · 2013-09-23 · 1 Kneebone, I.I., Hull, S.L., McGurk,

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Kneebone, I.I., Hull, S.L., McGurk, R., & Cropley, M. (2012). Assessing the Reliability and Validity of a Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire (NREQ) for use in Inpatient Neurorehabilitation Settings. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 26, 834-842.

Running Title: Neurorehabilitation Experience

Long Title: Assessing the Reliability and Validity of a Neurorehabilitation Experience

Questionnaire (NREQ) for use in Inpatient Neurorehabilitation Settings

Authors: Ian I. Kneebone, PsychD 1 2, Samantha L Hull, DClinPsy1 3 ,

Rhona McGurk, DClinPsych 1 4 & Mark Cropley, PhD 2

Affiliations:

¹Surrey Community Health, Leatherhead, UK

²Department of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

3Albany Rehabilitation Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK

4Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK

Address for correspondence: Dr Ian Kneebone Haslemere Hospital Church Lane Haslemere

SURREY GU27 2BJ UK Phone: +44 (0) 1483 782360 Fax: +44 (0) 1483 782398 Email: [email protected]

Word Count: 3784, excluding abstract, references and tables

Number of tables: 5

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Assessing the Reliability and Validity of a Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire

(NREQ) for use in Inpatient Neurorehabilitation Settings

Abstract

Background. There is a need to develop patient-centred measures of neurorehabilitation

experience to allow the regular involvement of users in improving services. Objective. The

objective of this study was to develop a valid and reliable Neurorehabilitation Experience

Questionnaire (NREQ) to assess whether neurorehabilitation inpatients experience service

elements important to them. Methods. Based upon the themes established in prior qualitative

research, adopting questions from established inventories and utilising a literature review, a

draft version of the NREQ was generated. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 9

patients and 26 staff from neurological rehabilitation units to establish face validity. In a

further study, 70 patients were recruited to complete the face-validated NREQ to ascertain the

reliability (internal and test-retest) and concurrent validity. Results. On the basis of the face

validity testing several modifications were made to the draft version of the NREQ.

Subsequently internal reliability (time 1 α = .76 , time 2 = .80) and test re-test reliability( r =

.70) and concurrent validity (r = .32 and r = .56) were established for the revised version.

Further, while responses were associated with positive mood (r = .30) they appeared not to be

influenced by negative mood, age, education, length of stay, gender, functional independence

or whether a participant had been a patient on a unit previously. Conclusions. Preliminary

validation of the NREQ has been achieved. It shows promise for use with its target population.

Keywords

Rehabilitation, reliability, and validity, patient experience, patient satisfaction.

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Introduction

Healthcare organisations, researchers and professionals have a commitment to effective

and efficient health service provision. A paradigm shift has seen an elevation in importance of

service user involvement in this process.1 This requires service users to have regular

opportunities to provide feedback about the services they have received. While generally

health care providers are improving their focus upon service user involvement2, this appears to

be less so in neurological rehabilitation.3

Neurological rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary service for individuals who have an

array of physical, cognitive and social problems relating to underlying neurological conditions

such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. As such, service

users present heterogeneously with a range of co-morbid disorders and variable thresholds for

fatigue and concentration.4 It follows that while established general patient satisfaction

measures may have some relevance for these settings, neurological rehabilitation services

merit special consideration to enable service user involvement.3

The concept of patient satisfaction has been criticised as ill-defined.5 This has led to the

development of statistically invalid and unreliable measures6, that are often orientated to staff

and service interests over those of the patient 3,7 and elicit outcomes that do not indicate the

processes or procedures requiring improvement.8 Based on the evidence that patients often are

not formally evaluating their care 9, a more specific alternative to patient satisfaction, patient

experience, has been developed. This seeks to obtain discrete information on what important

elements occurred for patients, rather than their evaluation of the process.10 Such data is more

useful to inform service improvement because it quantifies and pinpoints the problems more

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precisely. Although some research has addressed patient satisfaction in neurological

rehabilitation services,11,12 to date none has done this with appreciation that patient

experience,10 rather than satisfaction, should be the focus.

The objective of this study was to develop a valid and reliable Neurorehabilitation

Experience Questionnaire (NREQ) focussing on patient experience, rather than satisfaction,

which had a clearly defined, patient-focused framework.

Methods

Questionnaire Content and Design

The content of the NREQ originated from themes identified by three sources: a

qualitative study of patient experience in a neurological rehabilitation setting,13 patient

feedback questionnaires utilised in local neurological rehabilitation services and a literature

search. Priority was given to the themes from the previous study13 as these were derived

directly from interviews with ex-patients and were therefore of most relevance. Individual

questions were generated based upon the themes and those highlighted from the literature

search. Where possible, patients’ own language was used. Questions were also adopted from

previous questionnaires with permission. Sentences were kept short and simple in order to

maximise the ease of completion by patients with cognitive impairment. In line with the focus

on experience over satisfaction, each question focused on whether certain processes or events

occurred, rather than asking the patient to make an evaluation.14

Traditionally, questionnaire design has included a balance of positive and negative

statements to combat response acquiescence. However, negative statements produce

inconsistent results in a neurological rehabilitation population.12 On this account, it was

decided to use a list of positive statements upon which patients could comment. As the use of

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rating scales can also be problematic in neurological rehabilitation15 discrete response options

were provided. It was also considered important to keep the options as simple as possible on

account of the nature of the client group, while allowing for the important possibility of non-

evaluation9. Thus the categories in the initial draft questionnaire were ‘mostly agree’ ‘mostly

disagree’ ‘not sure’ and ‘not applicable’, the latter two options reflecting non-evaluation. An

open-ended question was also included to allow respondents to identify any additional aspects

of care requiring change.16

Self-reported satisfaction and experience have been shown to be influenced by: the

person who completes the questionnaire (patient or family member),11 age,17,18 gender11,19 and

education.20 Therefore additional questions to elicit background and demographic information

were included at the end of the questionnaire to aid interpretation of findings. The

questionnaire was designed to be completed anonymously so that those surveyed would not

alter their responses on account of concerns about being associated with negative feedback or

that it might affect their future rehabilitation or other treatment.

Face Validity Testing

Participants

Participants were recruited from three neurological rehabilitation units. One unit provides

neurological rehabilitation for individuals aged mostly 18-65 years and concentrates on

persons with physical disability with or without cognitive deficits e.g., MS, Stroke. The second

is a stroke unit providing rehabilitation for predominantly older stroke patients. The third unit

provides neurological rehabilitation for individuals aged mostly 18-65, concentrating on

persons with predominately cognitive disability e.g., acquired head injury. All patients on the

units at the time of the study, who met the eligibility criteria, were invited to participate.

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The inclusion criteria required participants to be medically stable, and capable of

understanding the questionnaire and taking part in a discussion group. Patients were excluded

if they had dysphasia, cognitive impairment (indicated by a score of less than 8 on the

Abbreviated Mental Test,21 less than 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination22 or as stated

by the multidisciplinary team) or the presence of a co-morbid psychiatric disorder (as defined

by the DSM-IV23 or an ICD-10 classification24, other than an anxiety or mood disorder).

All members of staff on the units were eligible to take part, with the exception of members of

the research team. Informed consent was obtained before participation commenced.

Procedure

Face validity testing took place with patient and staff focus groups and interviews with

Specialist Medical Doctors. A pre-established guide was used to facilitate discussions. This

included direction to consider whether the questionnaire covered everything of importance,

could be easily understood, and the appropriateness of the different response categories and

their number. Each session was recorded, checked for accuracy and transcribed. The comments

were grouped into themes based on similarity. The content, layout and wording of the NREQ

were revised on the basis of these themes. Where patient and staff opinion differed, priority

was given to patient opinion. Consistent with best practice25 an experienced qualitative

researcher, who also acted as assistant facilitator for the focus groups, validated the changes

that were made to the questionnaire

Reliability and Concurrent Validity

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Participants

Current in-patients were recruited from the same locations as in the face validity

stage. The same inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied.

Procedure

Following informed consent, participants completed a set of questionnaires one week

before their planned discharged. Patient experience was assessed by comparing the revised

(face validated) version of the NREQ with the Faces Scale26 and a set of brief questions about

patients overall experience.27 As self-reported satisfaction and experience has been shown to

be influenced by mood,28,29 patients also completed the Positive and Negative Affect Scale

(PANAS).30 Two weeks post-discharge, participants were posted the revised NREQ to

complete for a second time. Questionnaires were returned in a pre-paid envelope.

As self-reported satisfaction and experience have also been shown to be influenced by

the duration of admission31, relative state of functional independence32 and current physical

health profile33, the length of stay, admission and discharge scores on the Functional

Independence Measure – FIM34 were also collected.

Measures

1. Draft Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire (NREQ)

A prior qualitative study13 identified a superordinate theme person-centredness that

included 4 key themes that expanded the concept; ownership, personal value, holistic

approach and therapeutic atmosphere. Taking account of these themes, considering patient

feedback from local neurological rehabilitation services, and informed by a literature search, a

sixteen item self-report measure was generated. The pilot questionnaire sought participants to

mark one of three faces to indicate if they ‘mostly agree’ were ‘not sure’ or ‘mostly disagree’

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with respect to 16 statements such as ‘ I felt able to talk to staff about any problems I had’. A

‘not applicable’ option was also included. For one question participants could elect to rate a

number of different therapies they may have received. It was suggested that to score this

question, responses be summed and divided by the number of items endorsed.

2. Demographic Information

A demographic information sheet was located at the end of the experimental

questionnaire. The information collected was: age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, living

circumstances, previous occupation, level of education and, reason for the neurorehabilitation.

3. The Delighted-Terrible FACES Scale26

The FACES scale required participants to rate one statement regarding their

satisfaction with care on a seven-point scale. Participants are asked to place a mark on one of

seven picture faces: very satisfied, satisfied, slightly satisfied, neither, slightly dissatisfied,

dissatisfied and very dissatisfied. Responses are scored on a seven-point scale, ranging from 1

= “very dissatisfied”, up to 7 = “very satisfied”.

4. A summary section of the National Health Service of Great Britain and Northern

Ireland (NHS) Adult In-patient Survey27

This consisted of three questions taken from the summary section of the NHS adult in-

patient survey.28 The first question asks ‘Overall, did you feel you were treated with respect

and dignity while you were in the unit?’ Responses available were scored as follows, ‘yes

always ’ scored 100% ‘yes sometimes’ scored 50% and ‘no’ was scored as 0%. The two

further questions are ‘How would you rate how well the staff worked together?’ and ‘Overall,

how would you rate the care you received?’. Responses to these two questions were rated on 5-

point scale (range ‘excellent’ scored 100% to ‘poor’ scored 0%’). The average percentage

score for all questions was taken as the overall score.

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5. Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS)30

The PANAS is a 20 item self-report measure with ten positive and ten negative

affective descriptors. Participants are asked to rate their feeling for each affective descriptor at

the present time. Responses are scored on a five-point scale, ranging from 1 = “very slightly or

not at all”, up to 5 = “very much or extremely”. The PANAS has an affect scale range from 10

to 50, where higher scores indicate higher affect. The PANAS was included to consider the

effect of mood on patient experience.

Analyses

A review of the research literature and a power analysis (using the computer package G

Power35) was used to establish the sample size required for statistical power. The calculation

was conducted for a one-tailed, a priori analysis of a correlation. The power analysis specified

a sample size of 21 participants where a large effect size is expected and a sample size of 64

for a medium effect size. The research literature recommends a sample size of 50.36 For this

reason a sample size of 50 was decided upon to fit with the power analysis calculation and the

literature.

Internal consistency of the patient experience questionnaire was calculated using

Cronbach’s Alpha. Correlating participants’ scores on the questionnaire at initial testing and

then two weeks later, assessed test re-test reliability. Comparing outcomes on the NREQ to the

two other patient experience questionnaires, also via correlation, measured concurrent validity.

The relationship between the demographic and mood data upon patients’ reported experience

was also calculated. All correlations apart from those to establish internal consistency were

calculated using the Pearson product-moment correlation formula.

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Missing Data

In some cases questionnaires were returned but incomplete. A maximum limit of 2

missing questions was set for NREQ responses to be considered usable. No questions could be

missed for either of the comparison questionnaires. For the purposes of analysis, in cases

where the NREQ was returned incomplete but usable, the missing data was substituted

logically based on responses to surrounding questions. This was possible in most cases as

participants were largely consistent in their responses. Where there was variability in

surrounding answers the overall mean score was substituted.

Ethical Approval

The face validity testing phase of the study was approved by the West Surrey Local

Research Ethics Committee. The reliability and concurrent validity testing was approved by

the West Kent Local Research Ethics Committee.

Results

Face Validity

Participants

In total, nine white British patients (4 male) participated in the study. They ranged in

age from 41 to 81 years (mean = 57 years). The reasons for neurorehabilitation included:

stroke (4), multiple sclerosis (2), Miller Fischer Syndrome (1), acquired brain injury (1) and

frontal lobotomy (1). The duration on the unit at the time of the research ranged from 3 to 20

weeks (mean = 8.5 weeks). For eight patients, it was their first admission to the units.

Twenty-seven staff participated: specialist/acting specialist medical doctor (2),

associate specialist medical doctor (1), ward manager/nurse (2), staff nurse (1), enrolled nurse

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(1), nursing auxiliary (2), occupational therapist (5), physiotherapist (5), clinical psychologist

(1), speech and language therapist (1), and therapy/rehabilitation assistant (6).

NREQ

Modifications to the NREQ based on the focus groups and interviews included:

changes to make questions more relevant or applicable to the environment and the process of

rehabilitation; clarifications and simplifications; inserting questions to address areas that had

been omitted and the removal of questions deemed less applicable. Some suggestions were

made for additional questions. If space had permitted then questions would have been included

to address the following: availability of staff, information-provision (i.e. medical condition and

prognosis, the routine on the ward and personal daily rehabilitation timetable), catering and

whether dietary requirements were met, night staffs’ role and the degree of

independence/responsibility fostered. One patient focus group suggested that some of the

NREQ might not be as relevant for patients who regularly used the service to manage chronic

conditions. On this account a question was inserted into the demographics section to ask if the

patient had previously stayed on the unit. The ‘not applicable’ category was seen as irrelevant

and potentially confusing so this was removed from the questionnaire. Feedback upon the

length of the questionnaire was positive, such that overall, with the incorporated changes, the

total questionnaire length increased by only one question. As noted previously, it was proposed

to obtain the therapies question total score by summing and dividing by the number of items

endorsed. Given the emphasis participants put on therapies in their in–patient rehabilitation,

this score was also doubled. As can be seen in Table 1, the questionnaire to be subject to the

reliability and validity trial then consisted of 17 items. The responses available were ‘Mostly

Agree’ = 2, ‘Not Sure’ = 1 and ‘Mostly Disagree’ = 0. A ‘ patient experience’ score, range 0-

36 (when the double score for the therapies’ question is included) is able to be generated from

the questionnaire. Higher scores indicate a more positive rehabilitation experience.

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Insert Table 1 about here

Internal Reliability , Test-re-test Reliability and Concurrent Validity

Participants

In total, 70 patients were recruited to complete this element of the study. On account of

missing data, the actual sample size varied between analyses. However, only two NREQ

questionnaires had to be discarded at time 1 because of missing data. Only one at time 2.

Demographic characteristics for those who completed questionnaires at both time 1 and time 2

are summarised in Table 2. The reasons for neurorehabilitation included stroke (33), multiple

sclerosis (11), head injury (4) and ‘other’ (10). For 44 patients, it was their first admission to

the unit. Table 3 describes the distribution of actual scores achieved on the NREQ at time 1,

Table 4, a summary of the scores for the NREQ and all the other measures. As can be seen in

Table 4, the NREQ scores indicate a high level of patients as experiencing what is important to

them.

Insert Tables 2, 3 and 4 about here

Internal Reliability

An alpha value of .7 or greater is taken to indicate good internal reliability.37 At both

initial testing (time 1; n = 59) and post-discharge (time 2; n = 53) alpha exceeded this criterion

indicating good internal reliability: time 1 α = .76; time 2 α = .80.

Test Re-test Reliability (n=49):

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There is no agreed guideline as to what is considered acceptable in terms of test re-test

reliability coefficients, with the literature presenting significant coefficients ranging from 0.4

to above 0.8.38-40 The current study classified .7 or above as acceptable in consideration of

previous recommendations.41,42 The results of the current study indicate good test re-test

reliability with a highly significant correlation between the average experience score at time 1

compared with that at time 2, with the correlation coefficient exceeding .7: r = .78, p = .001.

Non-parametric statistics failed to identify any significant differences between individual items

from time 1 to time 2.

Concurrent Validity (n = 57):

The results indicate that the experimental questionnaire has good concurrent validity as

compared to both comparison measures, with highly significant relationships demonstrated via

Pearson’s correlations: NREQ vs. FACES scale r = .32, p = .004; NREQ vs. NHS adult in-

patient survey r = .56, p = .001.

Subsidiary Analyses

Influence of mood

The positive mood sub-scale of the PANAS, was significantly correlated with the

average experience score at time 1, r = .30, p =.03, but not the negative mood sub-scale, r = -

.15, p = .29 indicating that those with more positive mood reported a better experience and

negative mood was unrelated to experience.

Relationship between demographic information, length of stay, functional

independence, being assisted to complete the questionnaire and experience

As is seen in Table 5, respondents’ view of their experience was not related to their

age, education level, or how long they were on the unit at time 1 or time 2.

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Insert Table 5 about here

There was no significant difference in mean NREQ score between males and females at

time 1 (male = 32.53, SD = 3.87, vs. female = 32.55, SD = 4.36) t = 0.015, ns, or at time 2

(male = 32.42, SD = 4.95, vs. female = 32.80, SD = 3.77), t = 0.301, ns). There was also no

significant difference in NREQ scores at time 1, in regards to whether it was the patients first

time on the unit (first time yes, = 32.07, SD = 4.45, vs. first time no = 34.01, SD = 2.35), t =

0.015, ns). Neither FIM scores pre (r = .043, ns) or post rehabilitation (r = .099, ns), nor FIM

change scores (r = .049, ns) were associated with NREQ scores at time 1. Thus neither gender,

previous experience of rehabilitation, functional independence or change in functional

independence appears to be associated with NREQ ratings. Too few patients (5 at time 1 and

13 at time 2) were assisted in their completion of the questionnaire to consider the effect of this

on scores.

Discussion

A questionnaire to assess patient experience with neurological rehabilitation was

developed based on the qualitative expansion of themes established from interviews with

neurological rehabilitation patients, the adoption of questions from general patient satisfaction

questionnaires and a literature review. This questionnaire was refined following face validation

via focus groups and interviews with patients and staff. An experienced qualitative researcher

validated the changes. The questionnaire’s reliability (internal and test-retest) and its

concurrent validity were then examined: good reliability and validity were established. The

questionnaire has potential for identifying, via individual items, specific areas for improvement

in a service or, using the full score, monitoring overall patient experience.

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Limitations

It is acknowledged that more staff than patients participated in the face validity phase

of the project. This may have subtly biased the face-validated NREQ. However, this is unlikely

as at all stages patients’ opinions were given priority over those of staff when modifying the

NREQ.

An additional potential bias is identified when the effect of the inclusion/exclusion

criteria on patient participation is considered. Approximately one third of the patients on each

of the units were not eligible to participate, usually due to cognitive or communication

difficulties. Some compensation for this exclusion, and the overall small sample of patients in

the focus groups, may have been provided by the inclusion of staff in the face validity stage.

Staff familiarity with the whole patient population meant they may have been able to give an

indication of how the questionnaire would be received by those not directly represented by

patient participants. Given the nature of the patient group however, it remains some patients

will be unable to complete the questionnaire even with assistance and this is a limitation of the

NREQ. Other strategies to consider patient experience will need to be developed for these

individuals

The study found participants indicating a high level of experience of what is important

to them. This not uncommon in such evaluations43 but does raise concern as to the ability of

the questionnaire to detect if patients are not experiencing what is important to them.

One of the challenges of developing the questionnaire was to cover all the relevant

themes in sufficient detail, and yet keep the questionnaire short enough so as not to place too

much burden upon respondents. Inevitably there have been some themes, or aspects of themes,

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that were not addressed in the questionnaire (e.g. dietary requirements, night staff). However

this study has established preliminary reliability and validity for the NREQ. It shows promise,

subject to further validation, for use in clinical settings.

Future work

Given the sample size and focused locality of this project, a larger trial involving different

neurological rehabilitation units would help to establish the NREQ’s broad application to this

service setting. A larger sample would also provide the power to conduct factor analysis

statistics that could provide further validation of the questionnaire by matching it against the

thematic structure identified in prior qualitative research.13 Its utility with different ethnic

groups should also be considered. Future work in units where concerns have been raised might

better establish the NREQ’s ability to detect when experiences important to patients are not

occurring and via repeated administration, its ability to detect change.

Conclusions

Patient-centred care has been recommended as the gold standard for health care

services44 and is specifically important within neurological rehabilitation services. A

successful rehabilitation environment involves fostering independence, choice and control.

One way to contribute to achieving this is the use of a standardised, reliable and valid patient

experience questionnaire to assess patients’ views on these issues.

The NREQ has been successfully developed. Future work with a larger sample might

enable its factor structure to be identified, providing validation of the mapping onto the themes

established in prior qualitative work13. Its use with discrete patient groups (e.g. stroke,

acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis), may lead to further refinement.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the following people: Jenny Billings,

Sophie Dewar, Damian Dewhurst, Sue Guerrier, Celia Leck, Jan Nielsen, Penny Sharp, Beth

Taverner, Helen Wain, Jan Wheatcroft and the staff and patients of the Godwin, Runfold, and

Bradley Units who took part in the study. The projects reported here were funded through the

UK National Health Service, Research and Development Fund, Budget One.

Commercial interests

None

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Table 1: Questions included in scoring the NREQ (Neurorehabilitation Experience

Questionnaire).

Question number

Question

1

When I arrived I was given information about the unit and what would happen during my stay

2 The facilities on the unit were good (e.g. washing facilities, toilets) 3 There was somewhere secure to keep my belongings 4 I was able to discuss personal matters in private

5 There were enough things to do in my free time (e.g. watch television, join in with a group, sit in the garden)

6 There was a friendly atmosphere on the unit 7 I felt the staff really cared about me 8 The staff worked well as a team 9 I felt able to talk to the staff about any problems I had. 10 I was asked what I wanted to achieve during my stay 11 I felt as though the staff and I were partners in the whole process of care 12 The staff kept me informed every step of the way 13

My family or carer was involved in discussions about my treatment if I wanted them to be

14

I am happy with the amount of therapy or treatment I received for: a) Swallowing problems b) Speech and communication c) Improving mobility (physiotherapy) d) Independent living (e.g. washing, dressing, cooking) e) Continence (e.g. bladder & bowels) f) Other (please state)

15

I received enough emotional support (e.g. if I was feeling low or finding it hard to cope)

16 I am feeling well-supported and prepared for my discharge. 17 I am satisfied with the progress I have made during my stay

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Table 2: Demographic characteristics for the 59 participants who completed questionnaires at time 1 and time 2. Mean/Number SD/% Age – years

- (range 20 – 87)

57.39

14.7%

Length of stay on the unit: - less than one month - one to three months - four to six months - over six months

n = 14 n = 38 n = 4 n = 2

23.7% 64.4% 6.8% 3.4% 1.7%*

Gender - Female - Male

n = 30 n = 29

50.8% 49.2%

Marital Status - Single - Married - Separated - Divorced - Widowed

n = 11 n = 37 n = 1 n = 4 n = 5

18.6% 62.7% 1.7% 6.8% 8.5% 1.7%

Ethnicity - Asian/Asian British - White

n = 2 n = 56

3.4% 94.9% 1.7%

Education - No Qualifications - Secondary - Further - First degree - Higher degree - Other (not reported)

n = 11 n = 9 n = 12 n = 11 n = 4 n = 10

18.6% 15.2% 20.3% 18.6% 6.7% 16.9% 3.4%*

*missing data

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Table 3. Distribution of individual items on the NREQ (Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire) for time 1. Missing data is shown before logical imputation and frequencies are shown as calculated following imputation. For Q14 a-e, a missing response was assumed to mean not applicable. For all other questions this was treated as missing data.

Question

number

Frequency %

(n = 59)

Mostly

disagree

Not

Sure

Mostly

agree

Mean Standard

deviation

Missing

data

% not

applicable

1. 8.5 13.6 78.0 1.69 .62 0

2. 11.9 1.7 86.4 1.75 .65 0

3. 11.9 16.9 71.2 1.59 .69 0

4. 3.4 8.5 88.1 1.85 .44 1

5. 13.6 8.5 78.0 1.64 .71 0

6. 0 1.7 98.3 1.98 .13 0

7. 3.4 1.7 94.9 1.92 .38 0

8. 1.7 5.1 93.2 1.92 .37 0

9. 5.1 1.7 93.2 1.88 .45 0

10. 8.5 11.9 79.7 1.71 .61 0

11. 3.4 8.5 1.7 1.84 .44 0

12. 6.8 18.6 74.6 1.68 .60 0

13. 3.4 5.1 91.5 1.88 .41 2

14a. 1.7 5.1 28.8 1.76 .53 62.7

14b. 5.1 3.4 45.8 1.75 .62 45.8

14c. 1.7 0 91.5 1.96 .27 6.8

14d. 3.4 3.4 81.4 1.88 .42 11.9

14e. 0 10.2 57.6 1.85 .36 32.2

14f. 1.7 3.4 13.6 1.64 .67 81.4

15. 5.1 11.9 81.4 1.77 .52 6

16. 1.7 5.1 93.2 1.92 .33 0

17. 3.4 5.1 91.5 1.88 .41 2

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Table 4. Means, Standard Deviations (SD.), and Interquartiles for the NREQ (Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire) and all other measures at time 1.

Measure

Mean

SD.

Interquartiles

25

50

75

Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire

(NREQ)

33.5 2.6 32.2 34.4 36

The Delighted-Terrible FACES Scale 1.4 0.6 1 1 2

National Health Service of Great Britain and

Northern Ireland (NHS) Adult In-patient

Survey (Picker Institute 2004)

87.5 11.9 83 92 100

PANAS – Positive Affect 34.8 9.2 29 35 42.2

PANAS – Negative Affect 16.7 7.5 11 15 19

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Table 5: The relationship between age, education and length of stay and NREQ (Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire) scores. Age Education Length of stay

NREQT1 r -0.29 -.075 0.04 p 0.83 0.62 0.75

NREQT2 r 0.16 -.171 0.02 p 0.27 0.33 0.86