RCGP Scotland's Online Patient
Questionnaire for GPs
What is CARE
measure?
The Consultation and
Relational Empathy (CARE) measure is a validated, patient–assessed
measure of the doctor’s communication and empathy in the
consultation that has been developed by Dr Stewart Mercer and
colleagues in the Department of General Practice at Glasgow
University and Edinburgh University.
It is one of a number of
patient feedback measures which have been accredited as suitable
for GP Appraisal in Scotland by the Royal College of General
Practitioners (Scotland) and NHS Education Scotland.
This online patient
questionnaire gives GPs instant feedback on their patients' view of
their consultations. Valid questionnaires must be completed by 50
patients and entered into the CARE measure. The data will then turn
automatically into a report available to print or save on your own
computer.
"Empathy is a vital
component of the nature of patient care in general practice. The
patient centered CARE measure allows GPs to consider their personal
effectiveness within the therapeutic relationship they have with
their patients by considering empathy within their everyday
consultations. It is valid and stable across all patient
groups and as such is an excellent tool for all GPs who want to
reflect on their skills”. Dr Mairi Scott, Chair of
RCGP Scotland
Benefits
CARE measure Online*:
- Allows you to get
instant feedback on your results.
- Gives you feedback on
your patients’ view of your consultations in a format that is
suitable for GP Appraisal.
- Easy data entry and time
management due to the auto-save mechanism.
- Has a peer review
facility which gives you the option to compare your score with
other GPs across the UK.
- Gives you a detailed
report with breakdown of performance as well as an EPASS accredited certificate.
- Sends you an automatic
email with your certificate to keep for your own record.
References
The theoretical
background and validation of the CARE measure can be found in:
- Mercer SW, McConnachie A, Maxwell
M, Heaney DH, and Watt GCM. Relevance and performance
of the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure in
general practice. Family Practice 2005, 22 (3), 328-334
- Mercer SW, Watt, GCM, Maxwell M,
and Heaney DH. The development and
preliminary validation of the Consultation and Relational Empathy
(CARE) Measure: an empathy-based consultation process measure.
Family Practice 2004, 21 (6), 699-705
- Mercer SW and Reynolds W J.
Empathy and quality of care. BJGP 2002, 52 (Suppplement);
S9-S12.
Terms and Conditions
Please ensure you understand and
agree with the RCGP Scotland’s Terms and Conditions
for PEP eKit before proceeding with any purchase.
Contact
Should you require
further information please do not hesitate to contact Shelley
Ell, Projects Administrator:
Email: sknowles@rcgp-scotland.org.uk
Telephone: 0131 260 6812
*"The CARE measure
questionnaire can be used free of charge (all charges refer to RCGP
Scotland CARE measure Online tool). The Intellectual Property
rights rest with the Scottish Executive. The measure may not
be used on a commercial basis without the consent of the author and
the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Executive Health
Department, on behalf of the Scottish Ministers."