Actual time spent estimate--an index profile in management for pediatric outpatient care

In this study we propose to develop and use an instrument to measure the individual actual time spent at each stop in an outpatient visit, on the basis of the perceived time spent and dissatisfaction level expressed by an accompanying adult (the subject) in a pediatric outpatient department.

We shall use the exaggeration-appreciation level of the perceived time/actual time ratio as it relates to the subject's dissatisfaction level. This scheme allows for relationships between the exaggeration-appreciation level at each stop in the course of the visit and for the dissatisfaction levels for all stops prior to that one. Data were obtained from 191 of 197 randomly selected subjects visiting the pediatric outpatient department of a teaching hospital in Taiwan.

Geometric regression showed that the actual time spent per stop could be estimated on the basis of the perceived time and dissatisfaction level expressed by the subject at all stops up to the stop.

The index profile for the estimated actual time spent at each stop during a pediatric outpatient department visit can be generated from the perceived time for, and dissatisfaction with, each stop as expressed by the subjects. This profile may help the hospital managers evaluate the operation of the outpatient department and even provide the basis for adjustment of manpower.