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Aim The aim of the study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a patient participation questionnaire in emergency departments.

Background Patient participation is an important indicator of quality of healthcare. International and national health care policy guidelines promote patient participation. While patients cared for in emergency departments generally express dissatisfaction with their care, a review of the literature fails to reveal any scientifically tested research instruments for assessing patient participation from the perspective of patients.

Methods A methodological study was conducted involving a convenience sample of 356 patients recently cared for in emergency departments in Sweden. Data was collected in 2008 and the analyses performed were tested for construct and criterion validity and also homogeneity and stability reliability.

Results A 17- item questionnaire was developed. Two separate factor analyses revealed a distinct four- factor solution which was labelled: fight for participation, requirement for participation, mutual participation and participating in getting basic needs satisfied. Criterion validity presented showed 9 out of 20 correlations above 0.30 and of those 3 moderate correlations of 0.62, 0.63 and 0.70. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient ranged from 0.63 - 0.84 and test- retest varied between 0.59 and 0.93.

Conclusion The results signify evidence of acceptable validity and reliability and the questionnaire makes it possible to evaluate patient participation in ED caring situations. In addition it produces data which is useable by a diverse range of healthcare professionals.