How physicians experience patient consultations at an orthopaedic out-patient clinic: a qualitative study.
The aim of this study is to describe physicians' experiences in their encounters with patients by allowing the physicians to observe and comment on their own video-recorded medical consultations. Eighteen orthopaedic surgeons took part in the study; they were informed that we were interested in studying what actually takes place during a consultation, the quality of communication between doctor and patient, and how the physicians themselves experience the consultation. Each time the physician wished to make a comment, the video film was stopped and the comments were taped on audiocassette. The results showed that when the physicians watched the video-recorded consultations they commented spontaneously on issues regarding, among others: (1) how they try to adapt their communication to the patient's situation; (2) the need to explain things to the patient; (3) perceptions of working under unfavourable conditions; (4) difficulties in helping certain patients.
Unit of Social Medicine, Stockholm Centre of Public Health, Stockholm, Sweden. bjoorn.fossum@smd.sll.se
Bjöörn
B
Fossum
Elisabeth
E
Arborelius
Töres
T
Theorell
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009985:Orthopedics; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014743:Videotape Recording