Changing family physicians' visit structuring behavior: a pilot study.
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.
Haas
Leonard J
LJ
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132, USA. Leonard.Haas@hsc.utah.edu
Houchins
John
J
Leiser
Jennifer Paul
JP
D000328:Adult; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013637:Tape Recording