title: [The presence of a companion in the primary care consultation].
abstract: The presence of an adult accompanying the patient in the consulting room is a significant fact that deserves the attention of the physician. Some types of companions and their presence in the consultation have been described and may improve communication, patient management, and participatory decision making, achieving greater patient satisfaction. Consultations with companion are generally longer, and patients accompanied are often elderly, women, less educated, and with poorer physical and mental health. But it is not known exactly what is the significance of a consultation with a companion. It may be a semiological fact to keep in mind for the family diagnosis, or it may be the risks of their presence, the influence of medication, or the importance of the doctors themselves that are the cause of the presence of a companion. Different communication skills must be achieved during the interview with the companion in the consultation, rather than with the patient alone.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud Polígono Industrial, Toledo, España. Electronic address: jturabianf@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Turabián
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud La Estación, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, España.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pérez Franco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Atención primaria de salud; Caregivers; Cuidadores; Family practice; Medicina familiar y comunitaria; Office visits; Physician-patient relations; Primary health care; Professional-family relations; Relaciones médico-paciente; Relaciones profesional-familia; Visita a consultorio médico