Table 4 Intervention studies assessing the effect of booking interval on psychological diagnosis
Author/year/location | Aim | No. of doctors/practices | No of patients/consultations | Mean consultation length | Method of measuring consultation length | Method of study | % of eligible participating | Analysis | Conclusions/findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Morrell 1986 [50] Roland 1986 [53] UK | To measure variables in relation to consultations booked at different intervals | 5/1 | 60 sessions 780 consultations | Booked at 5 mins-mean actual time 5.2; 7.5 mins- 6.7 and 10 mins-7.4 mins. | Booked intervals & Actual time measured on audiotape | Patients non-systematically booked in at varying intervals. Consultations audio taped and analysed. Dr completed encounter sheet Patient questionnaire | 80% 20% incomplete | Logistic regression analysis. | Psychological diagnosis more likely to be recorded in consultations booked at longer intervals. Longer consultations associated with more time being spent on history taking. |
Risdale 1989 UK [51] | To study the effect of different appointment intervals on process and outcome measures in GP consultations | 2/1 | 961 | Booked at 5 mins-mean 6.6;Booked at 10 mins-mean 8;Booked at 15 mins-mean 9.2 | Visits audio taped. | Intervention Consultations audio taped and analysed, using same techniques as Morrell and Roland Patient questionnaires | 96% of pts agreed to participate. Data complete for 95% of consultations | Regression analysis of various outcome variables. | Increased consultation length assoc with increased doctor questions, patient questions & statements. |