Patient-reported experience measure for primary care

Published: August 2026. Next review: 2031.

Primary care clinicians can use this survey to understand patients’ experiences of care and inform improvements in care delivery.

Patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) capture a consumer’s experience and perception of the care they receive.

We developed the Primary Care PREM survey in partnership with consumers and primary care stakeholders to use in primary care settings.

The survey is approved by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) for general practice accreditation under the RACGP Standards (5^th edition).

The Primary Care PREM is free to use under the the Creative Commons copyright license. The PREM can be adapted to suit your primary care context; however, any modifications must be clearly noted on the survey to meet licensing conditions.

Download the survey

• Primary Care PREM Survey (Word 106.1 KB)
• Primary Care PREM Survey (PDF 141.2 KB)
• Primary Care PREM Survey (Microsoft Form)

How to use the survey

Select the method for collecting patient feedback and use the relevant format

• To collect responses on paper, use the PDF version to print the survey.
• To collect electronically, use the Microsoft Form and select ‘Duplicate it’. Remove or add questions to suit your survey goal. Share the link via your website, a text message, or generate a QR code for patients to access the survey via their mobile or tablet device. The data is only stored in your practice's account. No data is visible or accessible by NSW Health.

• To adapt the survey for your practice, use the Word version or duplicate and update the Microsoft Form.

Perform data analysis on the results

The method used for collecting patient feedback will determine how the data can be accessed and analysed. For example, when the PREM is collected using Microsoft Forms, an automated report is generated that can be analysed to determine what the results mean for the practice. Microsoft Forms also offers the ability to download an Excel file for further data analysis.

When the practice has collected the required number of completed surveys (as determined by your practice), analyse the data collected, including:

• responses to individual questions
• grouped responses within the larger domains
• demographic data
• an interpretation of what the results mean for the practice.

Use your findings for quality improvement

• Use the analysis to determine areas where the practice is performing well, and areas where quality improvement activities could be implemented.
• Use the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) template to start quality improvement activities based on the identified findings. Share the outcomes of these activities with patients to demonstrate transparency and commitment to ongoing improvement.

Download the PSDA template (Word 90.0 KB)

How the survey was developed

We developed the Primary Care PREM with consumers and primary care stakeholders through a structured consultation and research process using the Delphi method. This involved:

• reviewing feedback from workshops and subject matter experts to develop the questions
• applying the Delphi method, including multiple mixed methods survey rounds to assess the 61 questions across 12 domains. Questions that reached at least 75% consensus were included, resulting in a final set of 20 questions across 8 domains
• refining the survey to gain approval by the RACGP to meet accreditation requirements for patient feedback.

A pilot study with general practice staff and consumers showed the PREM is acceptable and appropriate for primary care.