Measuring quality of patient information documents with an expanded EQIP scale

ObjectiveTo develop an expanded version of the ensuring quality information for patients (EQIP) scale to measure quality of patient information documents.MethodsWe added 16 new items to the 20-item EQIP scale. The 36 items addressed document content, structure, and identification data. The new tool was used to rate the quality of 73 leaflets describing medical care procedures, used at a university hospital. Assessment rules were clarified on 25 documents; the remaining 48 leaflets were independently rated by two assessors.ResultsInter-rater reliability was very good (mean item-specific κ statistic on 48 documents = 0.84). The intraclass correlation coefficient for the global score was 0.95. The mean global conformity score on all items was 44 (range: 21–76, S.D. = 10). Most documents stated the purpose of the medical intervention (74% fully adequate), described qualitative risks (64%), used a respectful tone (80%), provided clear information (64%) in a logical order (73%). Fewer quantified risks (7%), were balanced (33%), used everyday language (22%), provided contact details (28%), identified authors (25%) and funding sources (4%). None gave evidence-based references nor clearly mentioned patient participation.ConclusionsThe expanded EQIP scale was reliable, and proved useful for analysis of patient information documents. Documents partially met international standards for quality patient information.Practice implicationsDocument producers’ efforts should focus on respecting guidelines and including patients.