title: Investigating the relationship between consultation length and patient experience: a cross-sectional study in primary care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Longer consultations in primary care have been linked with better quality of care and improved health-related outcomes. However, there is little evidence of any potential association between consultation length and patient experience.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relationship between consultation length and patient-reported communication, trust and confidence in the doctor, and overall satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of 440 videorecorded consultations and associated patient experience questionnaires from 13 primary care practices in England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients attending a face-to-face consultation with participating GPs consented to having their consultations videoed and completed a questionnaire. Consultation length was calculated from the videorecording. Linear regression (adjusting for patient and doctor demographics) was used to investigate associations between patient experience (overall communication, trust and confidence, and overall satisfaction) and consultation length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no evidence that consultation length was associated with any of the three measures of patient experience (P >0.3 for all). Adjusted changes on a 0-100 scale per additional minute of consultation were: communication score 0.02 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.20 to 0.25), trust and confidence in the doctor 0.07 (95% CI = -0.27 to 0.41), and satisfaction -0.14 (95% CI = -0.46 to 0.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors found no association between patient experience measures of communication and consultation length, and patients may sometimes report good experiences from very short consultations. However, longer consultations may be required to achieve clinical effectiveness and patient safety: aspects also important for achieving high quality of care. Future research should continue to study the benefits of longer consultations, particularly for patients with complex multiple conditions.
authors: Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge.
authors: Natasha
authors: N
authors: Elmore
authors: Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge.
authors: Jenni
authors: J
authors: Burt
authors: University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, Exeter.
authors: Gary
authors: G
authors: Abel
authors: University of Derby, Derby.
authors: Frances A
authors: FA
authors: Maratos
authors: University of Derby, Derby.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Montague
authors: University of Exeter Medical School, St Luke's Campus, Exeter.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Campbell
authors: Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Roland
mesh_terms: D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: appointments and schedules; communication; general practice; physician–patient relations; primary health care