Author/Editor		Švab, I; Katič, M; Čuk, C
Title		The time used by the patient when he/she talks without interruptions
Translated title		El tiempo del paciente cuando habla sin interrupciones
Type		članek
Source		Aten Primaria
Vol. and No.		Letnik 11, št. 4
Publication year		1993
Volume		str. 175-7
Language		spa
Abstract		OBJECTIVE: To measure the time used by a patient to explain the reason for his/her visit to the general practitioner, when he/she is permitted to talk freely and without interruption. DESIGN: A descriptive study where only previously known patients, who had a new reason for a consultation, were considered. SETTINGS: Visits to general practitioners' offices in Slovenia and Croatia. PARTICIPANTS: Six general practitioners (two Slovenes and four Croatians) who recorded the time spent on 480 consultations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The period of time measured was that used by the patients, at the beginning of the consultation, to reply to the doctor's question: "What can I do for you today?" Average time used by the patients was 28.6 seconds. There was a link between the older age group and a longer time period. There were no gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: Patients are able to explain calmly and without interruptions the reason for their visit. Interruptions by the doctor are probably unnecessary and do not save time.
Descriptors		COMMUNICATION ADOLESCENCE ADULT AGE FACTORS AGED CROATIA ENGLISH ABSTRACT MIDDLE AGE PATIENTS PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONS REFERRAL AND CONSULTATION RURAL POPULATION SEX FACTORS SLOVENIA TIME FACTORS URBAN POPULATION