RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the degree to which family physicians elicit patients' agendas and negotiate the agenda of the medical visit, related this behavior to late-arising patient concerns and satisfaction with the visit, and assessed the degree to which visit-structuring behavior can be modified by a brief workshop. METHODS: We reviewed 65 audiotaped clinic visits conducted by three experienced family physicians before (36 visits) and after (29 visits) a workshop on structuring outpatient visits. We also collected patient and physician satisfaction ratings through post-visit questionnaires. RESULTS: Patient concerns were explicitly elicited in 64% of pre-workshop visits and 90% of post-workshop visits. Significant increases occurred in agenda setting (14% of pre-workshop visits, 52% of post-workshop visits), agenda negotiating (0% of pre-workshop visits, 38% of post-workshop visits), and physician satisfaction with visits. CONCLUSIONS: A brief continuing medical education intervention improved family physicians' visit structuring.
