More time for complex consultations in a high-deprivation practice is associated with increased patient enablement.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Evidence of the beneficial effects of longer consultations in general practice is limited.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of increasing consultation length on patient enablement in general practice in an area of extreme socioeconomic deprivation.

Design of study

Longitudinal study using a 'before and after' design.

Setting

Keppoch Medical Centre in Glasgow, which serves the most deprived practice area in Scotland.

Method

Participants were 300 adult patients at baseline, before the introduction of longer consultations, and 324 at follow-up, more than 1 year after the introduction of longer consultations. The intervention studied was more time in complex consultations. Patient satisfaction, perceptions of the GPs' empathy, GP stress, and patient ena

SUBMITTER: Mercer SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2084135 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature