Doctors are spending more time with patients even though they believe they are "running faster"

Although in almost every era, doctors have perceived themselves as "running faster," there is little evidence to support this. Data from both the United Kingdon and the United States show that the time doctors spend with patients is increasing, even though doctors believe that they have less time for each patient. In his 35 year study, Mechanic (p 266) found that doctors feel more stressed because there is now so much more they can do, patients and the public expect more, and there are more external forces impinging on their practice. The author suggests that properly structured email communication with patients, with adequate safeguards will help to maintain continuity of care, help to deal with routine matters and allow more time for meaningful communication.

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Relevant Article

How should hamsters run? Some observations about sufficient patient time in primary care

David Mechanic
BMJ 2001 323: 266-268. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]