Development and validation of a patient-reported experience scale for acute psychiatric inpatient units: The QEUH

Background and objectives Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) have become increasingly important for evaluating the quality of psychiatric care and supporting person-centered services. However, few psychometrically validated instruments have been specifically developed to assess patient experience during acute psychiatric hospitalization. This study aimed to develop and validate the QEUH (“What Is Your Experience as a User of a Psychiatric Inpatient Unit?”), a PREM designed for acute psychiatric inpatient units. Methods QEUH was developed using a participatory mixed-methods approach combining qualitative data obtained from patients, relatives, and mental health professionals with quantitative psychometric analyses. The preliminary questionnaire was administered to 141 patients admitted to an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. Psychometric evaluation included exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity using the Rome Opinion Questionnaire for Psychiatric Services (RMD), and analyses of sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results Factor analyses supported a two-factor structure in the current sample reflecting “Experience of care received” and “Experience of participation during hospitalization”. The final 19-item self-reported questionnaire demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.89), excellent test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.96), and satisfactory convergent validity with the RMD ( r = 0.72, p < .001). QEUH scores were not significantly associated with age, sex, psychiatric diagnosis, or involuntary admission. Conclusions QEUH is a brief, feasible, and psychometrically robust PREM for assessing patient experience in acute psychiatric inpatient units. Its participatory development and strong psychometric properties support its potential use for routine service evaluation and quality improvement within contemporary person-centered psychiatric care.