The effect of the question "Is there anything else?" asked at the end of a patient consultation in a family practice
Date
2011-03-10
Authors
Welch, Kirsten Margaret
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Abstract
The effect of asking the question “Is there anything else?” toward the end of selected
consultations was assessed. A study was conducted using a sample of 200 patients
from a Johannesburg general family practice, randomly allocated into intervention
and control groups. Details of patient demographics and of the consultations in both
groups were recorded. Patients from the study group were asked “Is there anything
else?” at the transition to closure of the consultation. The responses elicited were
recorded and compared to issues raised spontaneously by patients in the control
group at the same stage of the consultation. 43% of the patients in the study group
used the opportunity to introduce new issues not yet discussed. 26% of the patients
in the control group asked questions at the same point in the consultation. The
problems raised were similar in each group, as was the time added to the
consultation. This would suggest that patients will raise more issues if given the
opportunity than they may have raised unprompted. Dealing with these issues may
make the consultation longer, but may prevent unnecessary future visits and
investigations.
Description
MFamMed, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Keywords
consultation, patient, doctor