Psychometric properties of a German version of the "Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale" (SIMS-D)

Value Health. 2009 Nov-Dec;12(8):1176-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2009.00575.x. Epub 2009 Jul 29.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS) into German and test its psychometric properties in a German primary care setting. The SIMS was developed to assess the extent to which patients feel they have received enough information about their medicines.

Methods: Three hundred seventy chronically ill patients were included in the study. The SIMS was translated to SIMS-D (German version) and evaluated in terms of acceptability, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, discriminant, and criterion-related validity.

Results: The SIMS-D showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.92) and adequate test-retest reliability (Pearson's r > 0.7). Relationships to external criteria regarding medication management were acceptable (Spearman's rho > 0.4). The SIMS-D was reasonably well accepted (return rate of 71%); however, older people produced more missing values when filling in the questionnaire.

Conclusions: Preliminary evidence was given that the SIMS-D is a suitable instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with information about medicines in German primary care settings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Prescription Drugs*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Prescription Drugs