I Svab1, M Katic, C Cuk. 1. Instituto de Medicina Social de la Universidad de Lubliana, Eslovenia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To measure the time used by a patient to explain the reason for his/her visit to the general practitioner, when he/she is permitted to talk freely and without interruption. DESIGN: A descriptive study where only previously known patients, who had a new reason for a consultation, were considered. SETTINGS: Visits to general practitioners' offices in Slovenia and Croatia. PARTICIPANTS: Six general practitioners (two Slovenes and four Croatians) who recorded the time spent on 480 consultations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The period of time measured was that used by the patients, at the beginning of the consultation, to reply to the doctor's question: "What can I do for you today?" Average time used by the patients was 28.6 seconds. There was a link between the older age group and a longer time period. There were no gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: Patients are able to explain calmly and without interruptions the reason for their visit. Interruptions by the doctor are probably unnecessary and do not save time.
OBJECTIVE: To measure the time used by a patient to explain the reason for his/her visit to the general practitioner, when he/she is permitted to talk freely and without interruption. DESIGN: A descriptive study where only previously known patients, who had a new reason for a consultation, were considered. SETTINGS: Visits to general practitioners' offices in Slovenia and Croatia. PARTICIPANTS: Six general practitioners (two Slovenes and four Croatians) who recorded the time spent on 480 consultations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The period of time measured was that used by the patients, at the beginning of the consultation, to reply to the doctor's question: "What can I do for you today?" Average time used by the patients was 28.6 seconds. There was a link between the older age group and a longer time period. There were no gender differences. CONCLUSIONS:Patients are able to explain calmly and without interruptions the reason for their visit. Interruptions by the doctor are probably unnecessary and do not save time.