Preliminary psychometric evaluation of the patient reported experience measure for addiction treatment (PREMAT)

Introduction: Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) are recommended for use in evaluating person centred care. To date, a PREM has not been validated for residential alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. Utilising items developed through a previously published qualitative study informing the development of the PREM for Addiction Treatment (PREMAT), the current study conducted a psychometric evaluation and validation of the PREMAT. Design and methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected from six Australian residential AOD treatment facilities (N = 178). Psychometric evaluation included examining the factor structure, internal consistency, and construct validity of the PREMAT. Test re-test reliability was conducted at one treatment site (n = 24). Results: The total PREMAT score demonstrated strong internal consistency (alpha = 0.91). Principle components analysis identified six factors (all alpha > 0.72). The PREMAT total score and factor scores were negatively skewed. Concurrent validity was demonstrated by strong positive correlations with measures of satisfaction (rho = 0.81, Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8; rho = 0.78, Treatment Perceptions Questionnaire), and divergent validity was demonstrated with weaker correlations with Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (rho = 0.25) and Kessler-10 (rho =-0.20). Test-retest reliability was strong for the total PREMAT (rho = 0.89). Discussion and conclusions: Results support the use of the PREMAT as a valid measure of experience in residential AOD treatment settings. Future research should examine the use of the PREMAT across the course of treatment to examine if experience is related to client characteristics, outcome, dropout or re-engagement in treatment.