Kd. Bertakis et al., Comparison of primary care resident physicians' practice styles during initial and return patient visits, J GEN INT M, 14(8), 1999, pp. 495-498
New adult patients (n = 212) were randomly assigned to 58 primary care resi
dent physicians. Physician practice styles during initial and return visits
were analyzed using the Davis Observation Code. Compared with initial pati
ent visits, return visits were shorter, but more world-intensive. Return vi
sits displayed significantly less technically oriented behavior (including
history taking, physical examination, and treatment planning) and fewer dis
cussions regarding use of addictive substances; however, there was more emp
hasis on health behaviors and active involvement of patients in their own c
are. These physicians' practice style differences between initial and retur
n patient visits suggest that physician-patient familiarity affects what ha
ppens during the medical interview.