| Affiliation: | 1. Unidad Docente de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria de Jaén, Distrito Sanitario Jaén-Jaén Sur, Jaén, Spain;2. Unidad Docente de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria de Huelva, Distrito Sanitario Huelva-Costa, Huelva, Spain;3. Centro de Salud Retamar, Distrito Almería, Almería, Spain;4. Centro de Salud Federico del Castillo, Distrito Sanitario Jaén-Jaén Sur, Jaén, Spain;5. Inspección Médica, Delegación Territorial de Igualdad, Salud y Políticas Sociales, Jaén, Spain |
| Abstract: | ObjectiveTo determine the distribution of consultation times, the factors that determine their length, and their relationship with a more participative, patient-centred consulting style.DesignCross-sectional multicentre study.LocationPrimary Healthcare Centres in Andalusia, Spain.ParticipantsA total of 119 tutors and family medicine physician residents.Principal measurementsConsultation length and communication with the patient were analysed using the CICCAA scale (Connect, Identify, Understand, Consent, Help) during 436 interviews in Primary Care.ResultsThe mean duration of consultations was 8.8 min (sd: 3.6). The consultation tended to be longer when the physician had a patient-centred approach (10.37 ± 4.19 min vs 7.54 ± 2.98 min; p = 0.001), and when there was joint decision-making (9.79 ± 3.96 min vs 7.73 ± 3.42 min: p = 0.001). In the multivariable model, longer consultations were associated with obtaining higher scores on the CICAA scale, a wider range of reasons for consultation, whether they came accompanied, in urban centres, and a smaller number of daily visits (r2 = 0.32). There was no correlation between physician or patient gender, or problem type.ConclusionA more patient centred medical profile, increased shared decision-making, a wider range of reasons for consultation, whether they came accompanied, in urban centres, and less professional pressure all seem to be associated with a longer consultation. |
