Doctors and patients often lament the lack of time they spend with each other. An interesting study suggests that it doesn’t matter:
In five studies conducted in the United Kingdom, doctors did not discuss more problems, prescribe more drugs, run more tests, make more referrals or do more examinations when they had a few additional minutes with patients.
More importantly, patients did not feel more satisfied when they spent more time with the physician.
There is a subset of the population who want quick, brief interactions with their physicians. These typically are those who are younger and healthier.
Doctors who spend less face to face time with patients are more often on schedule and on time. Some patients value that punctualness and it shouldn’t be discounted.
Related posts:
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- Newsflash: PCPs juggle multiple problems during office visits
- Newsflash: Office and ER visits surge
- How increasing payments for office visits can help specialists
- How multiple drugs and their side effects affect the elderly
- Single fathers and their children’s office visits
- Are patients refusing doctors who no longer do hospital work?
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{ 3 comments }
I have not seen the study (tried finding it but was unsuccessful), but I’ll comment in any case:
1) We are missing the facts. Were the office visits increased from 3 minutes to 4.5 minutes, or from 7 minutes to 30 minutes? This could be a very big factor – the fact that an additional 2 minutes were added might not change anything, but a 10 minute increase might make a big difference.
2) Sometimes, Doctors who are used to 5 minute visits don’t have much more to do in additional time – they have forgotten how to build a relationship with the patient, and as such, have nothing to do with the additional time. Maybe a study should be done regarding the satisfaction of patients who routinely see doctors who invest them with 5 minutes vs. patients whose doctors routinely give them 20-30 minutes for office visits. My gut feeling is that group #2 will have far higher satisfaction, and that will lead to better management of illnesses and a healthier lifestyle in general.
“blood pressure was checked and smoking discussed more often”
These are useful interventions that are part of the physicians agenda for an office visit. Patient satisfaction can only increase by also attending to the patient’s agenda and concerns about his symptoms. The link is Effects of interventions aimed at changing the length of primary care physicians’ consultation
I feel for the Doctors. I have 9 MDs in my cell phone, I have lots of problems. I understand time constraints, really. Keep in mind, I get to see you ever 3 months, maybe.
My question, when was it decided and by whom that I only get to bring up ONE symptom, ailment, side-effect, Etc per visit? Again, I ask?
Some of my 9 physicians (3) sent me a batch of papers to fill out prior to my first visit. I was advised the reasoning. I was also advised that if it was not returned at least X days before the appointment, it would be canceled or rescheduled. This was very reasonable to me. I appreciated a chance to express all my concerns. It also helped me prioritize my concerns.
The doctors that do this “paper triage” give much better care. Their staffs are well oiled machines.
I have seen more organization in other, less critical businesses. A doctor’s lack of planning is not my fault.
And yes, I do value what they do and their training. That’s why I am in your offices.
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