Medical versus behavioural skills: an observation study of 75 general practitioners

This study deals with a replication of a previous research project on the correlation between medical and behavioural skills of general practitioners. The PREVARA observation schedule was used to assess these skills of 75 general practitioners. Fifteen surgery contacts were tape-recorded for each GP and were rated by trained observers. The study shows that fundamental dimension underlies the surgery behaviour of the GP: the various skills appear to be equally developed. More specifically, a positive correlation was found between performing obligatory physical examination and paying attention to psychosocial aspects. The results are discussed in the context of the evaluation of the vocational training and medical audit of GPs.