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.