Development of a scale to measure psychosocial reaction associated with the approachability of family practice consultations

The paper reports the development of a 17-item questionnaire to measure the approachability of family practice consultations. Approachability is selectively taken to be a function of the ability to make an appointment and as a perception of whether the family doctor is open and approachable. One hundred and six users of family practice services, were approached on an opportunity basis and completed the questionnaire. Factor analysis and reliability analysis demonstrated the instrument to be structured by three significant factors. The factors were labelled the doctor, the consultation environment and emotions. The questionnaire is subject to further development to allow its wider use to gauge the effects of individual consultations on patients.