Table 1 Distribution of the physicians' activities observed during the study period
Category | minutes per day | (% of working time) |
|---|---|---|
I Communication | Â | 40, 4% |
   communication with patients about diagnosis/therapy | 73 | 11,0% |
   communication with patients about psychosocial issues | 3 | 0.4% |
   communication with relatives | 6 | 0.9% |
   communication with outpatients (phone) | 3 | 0.4% |
   discussion with colleagues | 150 | 22.8% |
   meetings (regular discussion sessions on medical concerns) | 32 | 4.9% |
II Patient Care | Â | 23.1% |
   discussion of charts | 41 | 6.2% |
   evaluation of diagnostic findings | 28 | 4.3% |
   consultations (medical advice for patients on other wards) | 3 | 0.4% |
   practical actions/medical activities | 39 | 5.9% |
   operations | 42 | 6.3% |
III Clinical documentation | Â | 11.2% |
   writing (discharge) letters | 50 | 7.6% |
   announce examinations | 18 | 2.8% |
   Reports | 3 | 0.5% |
   writing operation reports | 2 | 0.3% |
IV Administrative documentation | Â | 7.6% |
   DRG Coding | 11 | 1.7% |
V Teaching and research | 39 | 5.9% |
VI Other activities | Â | 17.7% |
   Breaks | 35 | 5.2% |
   other (including walking times etc.) | 82 | 12.5% |
Sum | Â | 100% |