What do patients expect in a general practice consultation?

The technique used in this study indicated that in the study group there was a high degree of concurrence between a patient's expectations and the consultation outcome. The rate of concurrence would have been much higher if the group who were 'unsure' as to their expectations had not been included. This method could be used as an instrument for continuing education by focusing a doctor's attention on patient expectations. For the doctors involved in this study it was reassuring to see that by the measure utilised they were often aware of their patients' expectations and able to direct the consultation according to this knowledge.