Evaluating clients' perceptions of the quality of head injury rehabilitation services: development and validation of a questionnaire

Objective: The objective of this research was to develop a tool to assess clients' perception of the quality of head injury rehabilitation services. Methods and results: A questionnaire PQRS-Montreal 1.0 was developed in Montreal, Quebec using a standardized methodology that incorporated a new technique to reach consensus regarding the tool's contents. Five dimensions of care (i.e. ecological approach, client-centred approach, accessibility, quality of the service providers and continuity) and their corresponding standards were identified as pertinent to include in the tool and were subsequently validated by experts. A phase of item generation followed that led to the development of an 87-item prototype of the questionnaire. The questionnaire is to be administered during an interview and employs a 5-point rating scale. Discussion and conclusion: The implications for the use of PQRS-Montreal 1.0 in the accreditation process of head injury rehabilitation services are discussed, as well as plans for future quantitative research in the development of the tool.