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. 2016 Aug 25;2016(8):CD003540. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD003540.pub3

1.2. Analysis.

Comparison 1 Provider performance, Outcome 2 Recording of problems, referral and investigation, prescribing, and re‐consultation rates.

Recording of problems, referral and investigation, prescribing, and re‐consultation rates
Study Results Notes
Morrell 1986 Two or more problems recorded (%)
5 min (n=275): 11
7.5 min (n=262): 16
10 min (n=243): 22
Referred to specialist (%)
5 min (n=275): 8
7.5 min (n=262): 9
10 min (n=243): 10
Psychological problem recorded (%)
5 min (n=275): 9
7.5 min (n=262): 14
10 min (n=243): 12
Prescription issued (%)
5 min (n=275): 59
7.5 min (n=262): 63
10 min (n=243): 62
Investigations (%)
5 min (n=275): 9
7.5 min (n=262): 10
10 min (n=243): 10
Asked to book return consultations (%)
5 min (n=275): 16
7.5 min (n=262): 12
10 min (n=243): 18
Information collected using tape records from the appointments.
For about 20% of the patients,
information was collected from patient records
or questionnaires.
Ridsdale 1989 Two or more problems recorded (%)
5 min (n=348): 14
10 min (n=277): 19
15 min (n=336): 14
Psychological problem recorded (%)
5 min (n=348): 8
10 min (n=277): 8
15 min (n=336): 5
Prescription issued (%)
5 min (n=348): 61
10 min (n=277): 63
15 min (n=336): 58
Re‐consultations within 4 weeks (%)
5 min (n=348): 30
10 min (n=277): 29
15 min (n=336): 31
Information collected using tape records from the appointments.
Coded by blinded rater.
Thomas 1978 Re‐consultations within 4 weeks (%)
Short appointments (n=100): 27
Long appointments ((n=100): 20
Mean difference: 7%, 95% CI ‐4.7 to 18.6
Information collected from patient's records.
Wilson 1992 Two or more problems recorded (%)
6‐7.5 min (n=1496): 32
10 min (n=1461): 35
Referred to specialist (%)
6‐7.5 min (n=1496): 5.0
10 min (n=1461): 5.7
Prescription issued (%)
6‐7.5 min (n=1496): 55.7
10 min (n=1461): 56.9
Investigations (%)
6‐7.5 min (n=1496): 8.8
10 min (n=1461): 10.6
Re‐consultations within 12 weeks (%)
6‐7.5 min (n=1496): 27
10 min (n=1461): 20
Information collected from patient's records.