Objective: To describe the development and evaluation of the Consumer Expectations, Perceptions and Satisfaction Scale (CEPAS).
Methods: The content of CEPAS was developed from a focus group of patients and carers. A total of 115 consecutive patients discharged from a community mental health service for older people and their carers was asked to complete a postal survey.
Results: The CEPAS was appropriate for 49% of patients (56/115) and 51% of carers (59/115). The response rates were 69% (39/56) for patients and 76% (45/59) for carers. Overall satisfaction had a significant association with the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (r = 0.67, p < 0.001) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (r = 0.29, p < 0.01).
Conclusions: The CEPAS was an adequate measure of patient and carer satisfaction in this setting and for this population. More research is needed to evaluate CEPAS in other settings and with other populations.
