Validation of the patient-doctor relationship questionnaire: a cross-sectional study among exit patients in Ghana

Background The patient-doctor relationship is an essential component of patient-centered care. But there are limited tools available for assessment, especially in the low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana. This study aimed to validate the Patient-Doctor Relationship Questionnaire-9 (PDRQ-9) in Ghana. Methods A cross-sectional validation study was conducted among 366 exit patients aged ≥ 18 in October 2023 at the Family Medicine Directorate Outpatient Clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. After taking the PDRQ-9 through adoption, face validation, and field testing, factor analysis and internal consistency testing were done. Results At a significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity, p < 0.001, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.94. Principal Component Analysis yielded only one component factor, which explained 81% of the variance. One eigenvalue exceeded 1.0. The bend of the scree plot was at the second factor, and one factor remained above the random values in parallel analysis. The factor loadings ranged between 0.4 and 0.97. The Cronbach’s alpha for the PDRQ-9 Ghana version was 0.96. Conclusion The PDRQ-9 Ghana version is a valid and reliable unidimensional scale that can adequately measure patient satisfaction with their relationship with primary care physicians in the study population. It can serve as a tool for quality improvement.