Measuring patient satisfaction with continence treatment: A tale of GUTTS and SAPS

Hypothesis / aims of study

Typically over 80% of urinary incontinence patients report being satisfied with their health care and treatment, regardless of treatment outcome. Patient satisfaction is usually assessed by a single item with no formal measurement properties or patient satisfaction theory to support it. Existing patient satisfaction scales have not been examined in incontinence studies and there are no incontinence-specific patient satisfaction measures, with the exception of the Genito-Urinary Treatment Satisfaction Scale (GUTSS) [1]. The GUTSS, however, is difficult to use and score because of the presence of filter items. This study aimed to address this rather unsatisfactory situation through: (a) revision and simplification of the GUTSS, (b) examination of the leading generic patient satisfaction instruments in an incontinence study, and (c) the development of a simple, easy to use and score patient satisfaction scale.