title: What do patients bring up in consultations? An observational study in general practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of the study was to investigate how many and what kind of problems patients present in consultations with their general practitioner (GP). A secondary aim was to explore patients' views on what is important in consultations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study including observation of unselected consultations with recording on a pre-designed scheme, and a brief questionnaire filled in by patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four general practices in Oslo, Norway.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 201 patients in consultations and 177 patients waiting to see their GP.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number and characteristics of problems raised by patients, and whether the problems were handled by GPs during the ongoing consultation. Patients' expectations for the consultation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean number of problems raised was 2.6 (range 1-16), and when appointments for acute conditions were excluded, the mean number was 3.3. Somatic problems comprised about half of all problems, and in more than one-quarter of consultations a mental health issue was presented. Female sex and increasing age predicted an increasing number of problems raised. In one-quarter of encounters four or more problems were presented. The vast majority of problems were dealt with by the GPs during the ongoing consultation. "That I am able to address all the problems I have" was rated as highly important by patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GPs deal with multiple and unrelated problems in daily consultations, which is highly valued by patients. Management of concurrent problems in brief encounters demands training and adequate working conditions, in order to sustain this core value of general practice.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bjørland
authors.affiliation: b Department of General Practice , Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brekke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003142:Communication; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D058005:General Practitioners; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009819:Office Visits; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cross-sectional study; Norway; consultation; general practice; patients’ demands; patients’ expectations