The influence of a change in practice setting on pediatrician activity: a case study

A time-and-motion study was performed of a pediatrician's activities in his fee-for-service solo practice and again after he joined a prepaid group practice. A comparison was made between time spent with fee patients in solo practice and time spent with fee patients continuing to see him in group practice. Total time per patient visit was not changed significantly by the group setting. Activities within the visit were modified in the group setting. History-taking and physical examination were reduced; counseling and charting were increased. Time spent in well-child visits in the group setting was significantly longer with the increased time spent in counseling. For sick visits there was no change in total time per visit nor in activities within the visit.