Psychometric Properties of a German Version of the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS-D)

Objective: The aim of this study was to translate the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale (SIMS) into German and test its psychometric properties in a German primary care setting. The SIMS was developed to assess the extent to which patients feel they have received enough information about their medicines. Methods: Three hundred seventy chronically ill patients were included in the study. The SIMS was translated to SIMS-D (German version) and evaluated in terms of acceptability, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, discriminant, and criterion-related validity. Results: The SIMS-D showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.92) and adequate test-retest reliability (Pearson's r > 0.7). Relationships to external criteria regarding medication management were acceptable (Spearman's rho > 0.4). The SIMS-D was reasonably well accepted (return rate of 71%); however, older people produced more missing values when filling in the questionnaire. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence was given that the SIMS-D is a suitable instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with information about medicines in German primary care settings.