Variation in physician opinion about scheduling of return visits for common ambulatory care conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there is consensus about intervals between visits for adult general medicine patients with common ambulatory care conditions.


METHODS
Survey of practicing physicians and residents.


METHODS
Ambulatory care at a hospital clinic, a group practice, and a physician office.


METHODS
153 physicians, including residents, fellows, and staff from The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, internists and family practitioners from three Iowa towns, and internists from Atlantic City, New Jersey.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
There was wide variation in responses, with greater consensus for more acute conditions than for chronic conditions or preventive care.


CONCLUSIONS
1) Wide variation exists in proposed intervals between visits for care of patients with common ambulatory conditions. 2) Variation occurs within the same geographic area and is unassociated with year of graduation from medical school, year in training, or academic appointment 3) Further study is needed to assess the significance of this variation.
Tobacman
J K
JK
Division of General Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology and Health Services Research College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Zeitler
R R
RR
Cilursu
A M
AM
Mori
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006801:Humans; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors