title: Patient and physician views of accompanied consultations in occupational health.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accompanied (triadic) consultations, or consultations where a third person is present, are poorly researched and little research has been carried out in an occupational health (OH) setting.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elicit the views of patients and OH physicians about accompanied consultations.
  
  
  METHODS
  OH receptionists gave a self-administered questionnaire to patients after they attended OH consultations with a companion. We interviewed participating OH physicians to ascertain their views on accompanied consultations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patient questionnaires were completed (response rate 52%). Seventy-three per cent (19) of responders were accompanied by a spouse and 12% (3) by non-family members. Patients reported their companion was helpful with recall of information (100%), supportive (100%), provided extra information to the physician (81%) and enabled them to discuss the outcome afterwards (92%). In two consultations, the companion attended to provide support on procedural matters. Patients were not concerned that the consultation might involve sensitive discussion or physical examination. OH physicians reported concerns that the companion would make the consultation more difficult or influence its outcome. They felt that written information, guidelines and training in how to manage accompanied consultations would be useful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who attended OH consultations with a companion felt the companion was beneficial to the consultation and did not have concerns about personal issues. OH physicians felt that further guidance and training on accompanied consultations would be useful. Written information could usefully be provided to patients attending an OH consultation with a companion.
authors.affiliation: Hobson Health Limited, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 4DB, UK.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.affiliation: Hobson Health Limited, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 4DB, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hobson
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016272:Occupational Health; D054538:Occupational Health Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Accompanied; occupational health consultation; occupational physician; triadic.