Consultation length and outcome in two group general practices

Abstract

Two group general practices were located which, while similar in a number of important respects, differed in the number of appointment consultations arranged per hour, and data was collected to see if corresponding differences in consultation outcome could be found. Information on all appointment consultations offered during a four-week period was analysed, and the number of patients returning for further attention in a subsequent four-week period was also determined. The practice offering longer consultations had a lower proportion of appointment consultations ending with a prescription, required a lower proportion of patients to return for a follow-up appointment, and had a lower proportion of patients themselves returning to seek a further appointment within four weeks of presenting with a new illness episode.