The Article in Brief

Background: Patients who make frequent visits to the family doctor can cause a strain on the work load and resources of the doctor’s office. This study interviewed such patients about how often they visit the doctor, what they expect from the visit, and their relationship with the medical team.
What This Study Found: Most patients interviewed were not able to clearly say how often they visit the doctor. Although they had a lot of respect for their family doctors, many patients were dissatisfied with their medical treatment. They also reported problems making appointments, such as difficulties getting through to the doctor’s office by phone.
Implications:
• Patients who make frequent visits to the doctor may have a different view of the appropriate rate of visits, compared with family doctors and researchers.
• Communication problems between doctors and patients may lead some patients to visit the doctor more often.
• Patients who make frequent visits want their family doctor to acknowledge their symptoms and provide reassurance.