Variation Among Task-Structuring Strategies
| Strategy | Degree of Structure | Primary Source of Information | Key Information Acquisition Point(s) | Mechanism for Conducting Encounter | Management of Encounter | Time Orientation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WIC = Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. | ||||||
| Sticky note | High | Electronic medical record | Before clinic, beginning of the day, plan is made for the patient encounter based on the chief complaint. | Using sticky note list, previsit plan is instituted | Previsit plan is implemented; sticks to the recorded chief complaint and physician-planned list of issues | Regimented and stays on time |
| Template | Medium | Written templates | Continuous | Physician maintains binder with management templates based on age, sex, and disease status | Follows anticipated template | Regimented and stays on time |
| Familiar and fast | Low | Physician memory | During patient encounter from the patient | Mental processing using own memory and input from the patient | Attentional surplus used to address problems of limited nature, reschedule for complex issues | Rapid processing, with flexibility in agenda, but stays on time |
| Doorstep planning | Medium | Chart | Before patient encounter | Mental tally of agenda is organized | Patient’s complaints are first elicited and than addressed | Clock is a guide, goes over- time if particularly important patient care is needed |
| Scan chart outside the examination room | ||||||
| Now or never | Low | All available sources eg, chart, WIC, social worker, clinic nurse, family or friend, etc | Continuous | Iterative list of needs based on information gathered before and during the encounter | Proactive with expectation for comprehensively addressing care needs | Flexible with no time constraints, though time intensive for the patient |