Use made by patients of chronic disease surveillance consultations in general practice

A prospective, observational study of chronic disease surveillance consultations over a six-month period was performed in one semi-rural general practice in order to determine the content of the consultations, including incidental items not relevant to the chronic disease. At least one incidental item was recorded during 43% of consultations. There was substantial clinical content in these items: 23% of items required a prescription to be issued and 7% referral to a specialist. It is concluded that chronic disease surveillance consultations in general practice are frequently extended by patients who are anxious to discuss issues which may not be relevant to their chronic diseases. General practitioners must be sensitive to such patient expectations when they instigate chronic disease management clinics.