title: Changing family physicians' visit structuring behavior: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed the degree to which family physicians elicit patients' agendas and negotiate the agenda of the medical visit, related this behavior to late-arising patient concerns and satisfaction with the visit, and assessed the degree to which visit-structuring behavior can be modified by a brief workshop.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed 65 audiotaped clinic visits conducted by three experienced family physicians before (36 visits) and after (29 visits) a workshop on structuring outpatient visits. We also collected patient and physician satisfaction ratings through post-visit questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patient concerns were explicitly elicited in 64% of pre-workshop visits and 90% of post-workshop visits. Significant increases occurred in agenda setting (14% of pre-workshop visits, 52% of post-workshop visits), agenda negotiating (0% of pre-workshop visits, 38% of post-workshop visits), and physician satisfaction with visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A brief continuing medical education intervention improved family physicians' visit structuring.
authors: Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132, USA. Leonard.Haas@hsc.utah.edu
authors: Leonard J
authors: LJ
authors: Haas
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Houchins
authors: Jennifer Paul
authors: JP
authors: Leiser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013637:Tape Recording