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The development of the child and adolescent versions of the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale (CAMHSSS)

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Abstract

Background

There is a shortage of comprehensive and validated instruments to measure satisfaction with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This study chose the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale (VSSS as a template for the development of a new CAMHS Satisfaction Scale (CAMHSSS).

Method

The new questionnaires were developed by involving service users and members of the multidisciplinary team in several stages. The psychometric qualities of the 39-item draft were tested on a random sample.

Results

A total of 56 adolescents and 104 parents participated in the study. The acceptability of the questionnaires was excellent, and internal consistency was high. Test-retest reliability was between substantial to moderate for individual items, and high for the seven dimension and the final versions of the scale. The questionnaires differentiated well between satisfied and dissatisfied service users.

Conclusions

Two versions were generated to measure service satisfaction among outpatients (CAMHSSS-39 and 20) and one for inpatients and day-patients (CAMHSSS-Unit). All have good psychometric properties and can be recommended for future studies.

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Acknowledgements

All participants; members of the multidisciplinary team at West End and at the Interagency Link Team; the participating child and adolescent psychiatrists; Dr Eric Gardiner, statistician; Dr Mirella Ruggeri. This study was funded by the Department of Health (Project Nu: RRCC273SG).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Darwin Centre, 167 Queens Rd Penkhull, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST4 7LF, UK

    Agnes K. Ayton MD, MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc

  2. The University of Hull, Cottingham, Kingston-upon-Hull, UK

    Agnes K. Ayton MD, MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc & Michael P. Mooney B.Ed, M.Sc

  3. Norfolk Mental Health Care Trust, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK

    Kate Sillifant MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc, MD

  4. West End Child & Family Service, Hessle, UK

    Jonathan Powls BSc, M.Sc & Hufrize Rasool MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc

Authors
  1. Agnes K. Ayton MD, MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc
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  2. Michael P. Mooney B.Ed, M.Sc
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  3. Kate Sillifant MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc, MD
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  4. Jonathan Powls BSc, M.Sc
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  5. Hufrize Rasool MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Agnes K. Ayton MD, MRCPsych, M.Med.Sc.

Appendix

Appendix

Appendix 1. VSSS-dimensions retained in the CAMHSSS versions
Full size table
Appendix 2. Test-retest reliability using Cohen’s weighted kappa (n = 50) (0.81–1 perfect, 0.61–80 substantial, 0.41–60 moderate, <0.4 poor)
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Ayton, A.K., Mooney, M.P., Sillifant, K. et al. The development of the child and adolescent versions of the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale (CAMHSSS). Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 42, 892–901 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0241-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0241-9

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