Six Clusters of Physician Practice Behaviors and the Davis Observation Codes Included in Each Cluster
| Codes in Each Cluster Technical Cluster | Abbreviated Davis Observation Code (DOC) Definitions |
|---|---|
| Structuring interaction | Discussing what is to be accomplished in current interactions |
| History taking | Physician inquiring about or patient describing details related to the chief complaint or to previous illnesses |
| Family information | Discussing family medical or social history, and/or current family functioning |
| Physical examination | Any aspect of physical examination of patient |
| Evaluation feedback | Physician telling patient about results of history, physical examination, laboratory work, etc |
| Planning treatment | Physician prescribing a medication, diagnostic, or treatment plan |
| Treatment effects | Physician inquiring about or patient describing result of ongoing therapeutic intervention |
| Procedure | Any treatment or diagnostic procedure done in office |
| Health behavior cluster | |
| Compliance | Discussing previously requested behavior |
| Health education | Physician presenting information regarding health to patient |
| Health promotion | Physician asking for change in patient’s behavior in order to increase or promote health |
| Nutrition | Any question or discussion about nutrition |
| Exercise | Any question or discussion about exercise |
| Addiction Cluster | |
| Substance use | Any question or discussion of drinking alcohol or use of other substances |
| Smoking behavior | Any question about or discussion of smoking or other use of tobacco |
| Patient activation cluster | |
| Health knowledge | Physician asking or patient spontaneously offering what patient knows or believes about health and disease |
| Patient question | Patient asking question |
| Chatting | Discussion of topics not related to current visit |
| Preventive service cluster | |
| Preventive service | Physician discussing, planning, or performing any screening task with disease prevention |
| Counseling cluster | |
| Counseling | Physician discussing interpersonal relations or current emotional state of patient or patient’s family |