1. Which version of GPAQ should we use and what do we do next?
The only reason for using previous versions of GPAQ would be for direct comparison with results from previous surveys.
GPAQ-R2 covers the same ground as previous versions with several advantages:
- The ‘Friends and Family’ test is included (Q41)
- Questions on the first page are mapped to GMC requirements for GP revalidation
- Many questions equate to those in the GPPS survey, for which national benchmarks are updated regularly
Once your survey is completed, you will need a plan for generating your reports. If you don’t have the expertise to do this in house, Cambridge University have licensed experienced companies to provide an analysis service.
2. What are the conditions for use for GPAQ? Who can use it? Do we have to pay?
While GPAQ was developed by, and is copyright University of Cambridge and University of Manchester, individual practices may use all versions of GPAQ royalty free ie with no fee to pay. GPAQ may NOT be used for commercial services. Details of companies licensed to provide an analysis service can be found here.
GPAQ can be used, and adapted if required, by individual practices for their own surveys provided that acknowledgement is given ie the copyright statement “Based on GPAQ-R2* © 2014 which is reproduced with the kind permission of the University of Manchester & University of Cambridge“ is included, and provided the GPAQ questionnaire is not used for commercial services.
*whichever version used
A further requirement is to send raw data ie your data entry spreadsheet back to us for (anonymised) future updates of benchmarks and/or research.
3. Where can I get copies of the GPAQ Questionnaire?
The questionnaire is available to download and print from downloads page of this website. Individual practices may print out and make as many copies as they need to carry out their survey. It is not essential to print in two colours.
Practices can still use previous versions of GPAQ if they wish, but the latest version, GPAQ-R2 has been developed and updated to meet all current practice needs.
There are also fillable versions of the PDF for GPAQ, which can be used if you wish to e-mail the questionnaire out, or make the questionnaire available via your practice website. Patients can save their completed survey and e-mail it or print and post it back to their practice.
Please tell us how useful you find the fillable PDF in your practice.
4. How do we use GPAQ for GP Revalidation?
In GPAQ-R and GPAQ-R2 the first page of questions has been carefully mapped to the GMC specification for GP Revalidation. The rest of the questionnaire helps to put these answers in context. For revalidation purposes, the GMC requirements not only for the questions but also for carrying out the survey, are very specific and it is important to follow the Guidelines.
5. Can I get a copy of GPAQ in WORD?
GPAQ is supplied as a pdf because it fills the page, and printing from a PC will probably re-set margins according to pre-sets in the default printer. This may alter page breaks and consequently reorganise the layout of the questionnaire. If you would like a copy of the questionnaire in WORD, please e-mail us, and let us know which version you need.
If you make changes to the numbering and/or questions and wish to use the services of one of the provider companies, it may be wise to liaise before starting your survey as bespoke analysis becomes more costly. A practical alternative would be to add surgery specific questions at the end of the questionnaire.
6. I would like to use GPAQ on our website. How do I do this?
Your webmaster will need to put an introductory page with the fillable pdf loaded, and instructions for your patients to either print and return it to the surgery, or fill it and e-mail the questionnaire back to you for data entry. Consider password access, and setting up a dedicated e-mail address for replies. You will then need to organise your data entry and report. For the results to be collated electronically via your website, you will need a database ‘behind’ it. This requires programming – entailing the requisite time and skill. Only companies licensed by Cambridge University may offer a commercial service: some of the licensed companies listed here may offer that service, though this will incur a fee.
7. What are the recommended numbers of completed questionnaires for GPAQ?
For GP Revalidation, a minimum of 30 completed questionnaires, to increase to 50 where an initial screen raises concerns, are recommended for statistical reliability. When using GPAQ-R or GPAQ-R2 for GP revalidation it is important to collect the requisite numbers of completed questionnaires, otherwise results may not be accepted. As not all patients complete every question, we suggest collecting more than the minimum required.
For more detailed information, please see the Guidelines for carrying out your practice survey, the GPAQ Manual (coming soon for GPAQ-R and GPAQ-R2) or E-mail us.
8. We always used the spreadsheet and linked Word report file. Where can I find these for the new version of GPAQ?
Legacy spreadsheet and calculation files are still available for GPAQ V2 (e-mail us for these). These analysis files were developed at Manchester University, under a grant which came to an end in 2010.
If you need help with analysis, the licensed provider companies and brief details of their services are listed here. Only companies licensed by Cambridge University may offer a commercial GPAQ analysis service.
9. I’m stuck, how can I get help with GPAQ?
Since the National Primary Care Research and Development Unit (NPCRDC) closed in Manchester at the end of 2010, we no longer have a research post, with a person taking care of GPAQ. Analysing GPAQ V2 using analysis tools developed at that time requires familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite. The GPAQ Administration does not have the facilities to offer help with this, nor are we able to adapt those analysis tools for variations to and subsequent versions of the GPAQ Questionnaire. Please contact the provider companies for help with analysis and reporting. This takes time and is unlikely to be a free service.
10. What about benchmarks?
Benchmarks for GPAQ V2 were calculated on the results from the latest complete year’s surveys. The latest benchmarks produced for V2 were therefore for 2005/6.
We now have benchmarks for GPAQ V3 based on 27,000 returned questionnaires, and for GPAQ-R (V4) based on 17,000 completed questionnaires. Benchmarks are average scores across the country, not necessarily ideal scores to be attained.
GPAQ-R2 differs from GPAQ-R (GPAQ V4) only in that one question, Q41 regarding overall satisfaction, has been reworded in line with the ‘Friends and Family’ test. This question is scored differently and being new in General Practice, there are no scores available yet for comparison.
Groups of practices or PCTs carrying out surveys across several practices will be able to generate their own, local, current benchmarks for whichever version they are using.
For the questions in GPAQ V3, GPAQ-R and GPAQ-R2 identical to questions in the ongoing government run GP Patient Survey, practices will be able to benchmark their results against the national survey. These can be found here.
We do now (2014) have benchmarks for GPAQ-R and GPAQ V3.
11. Support
Due to lack of funding we regret there is no telephone support for GPAQ.
Most of your questions should be covered on this page.
For general administrative questions you can e-mail us if you can’t find the answers here.
For help with analysis and reporting, please contact any of the analysis provider companies.
Brief details about the analysis services are given, please contact them for further information.
12. My question is not answered here. How Can I contact GPAQ?
For administrative questions, please e-mail us.
For questions about analysis and reporting, please contact the provider companies listed here.
Email links updated 21 January 2019