Study: Doctors give patients only seconds to explain reason for visit before interrupting

Have you ever felt rushed during a doctor's visit? Most physicians don't give their patients adequate time to explain the reason for their visit, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Florida, Gainesville, recently conducted a study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, to explore clinical encounters between doctors and their patients.

To do so, they assessed the initial few minutes of consultations between 112 patients and their medical practitioners between 2008 and 2015. The encounters they reviewed were videotaped in various clinics in the United States.

The scientists observed whether doctors invited patients to set the agenda with questions such as “What can I do for you?” They also took notes on whether patients were interrupted while answering questions and in what manner.

After analyzing the results, they found that 36 percent of patients were able to set the agenda. However, they were interrupted 11 seconds on average after beginning their statements. Those who were not interrupted finished speaking after about six seconds.

They said primary care doctors allowed more time than specialists as specialists generally know the purpose of a visit.

"If done respectfully and with the patient's best interest in mind, interruptions to the patient's discourse may clarify or focus the conversation, and thus benefit patients," co-author Singh Ospina said in a statement. "Yet, it seems rather unlikely that an interruption, even to clarify or focus, could be beneficial at the early stage in the encounter."

While they are unclear why doctors don’t allow patients to speak longer, they believe time constraints, not enough training on how to communicate with patients and burnout may be factors.

The scientists now hope to further explore their investigations on the ultimate experience of doctor visits and the outcomes.

“Our results suggest that we are far from achieving patient-centered care,” she says.

Cox Media Group