title: To make a difference--how GPs conceive consultation outcomes. A phenomenographic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Outcomes from GPs' consultations have been measured mainly with disease specific measures and with patient questionnaires about health, satisfaction, enablement and quality. The aim of this study was to explore GPs' conceptions of consultation outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews with 17 GPs in groups and individually about consultation outcomes from recently performed consultations were analysed with a phenomenographic research approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The GPs conceived outcomes in four ways: patient outcomes, GPs' self-evaluation, relationship building and change of surgery routines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient outcomes, as conceived by the GPs, were generally congruent with those that had been taken up in outcome studies. Relationship building and change of surgery routines were outcomes in preparation for consultations to come. GPs made self-assessments related to internalized norms, grounded on a perceived collegial professional consensus. Considerations of such different aspects of outcomes can inspire professional development.
authors.affiliation: Bergnäsets Vårdcentral, Luleå, Sweden. annika.anden@telia.com
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andén
authors.forename: Sven-Olof
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Carl-Edvard
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rudebeck
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation