CONTEXT:

The interaction between a physician and his or her patient is complex and occurs by means of technical performance and through a personal relationship.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the interaction between the medical professional and his or her patient with the participation of medical students assuming a role as observers and participants in a medical appointment in an outpatient office.

DESIGN:

Questionnaire interview study.

SETTING:

General Medicine outpatient offices, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of Säo Paulo.

PARTICIPANTS:

Medical students performed an ethnographical technique of observation, following 199 outpatient medical appointments with Clinical Medicine Residents.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS:

A questionnaire filled out by observer students measured the physician's attitudes towards patients, as well as patients' expectations regarding the appointment and his or her understanding after its completion.

RESULTS:

Patients showed higher enthusiasm after the appointment (4.47 + or - 0.06 versus 2.62 + or - 0.10) (mean + or - SEM), as well as some negative remarks such as in relation to the waiting time. The time spent in the consultation was 24.66 + or - 4.45 minutes (mean + or - SEM) and the waiting time was 123.09 + or - 4.91 minutes. The physician's written orientation was fairly well recalled by the patient when the doctor's letter could be previously understood.

CONCLUSION:

Patients benefit from physicians who keep the focus on them. In addition, this program stimulated the students for their accomplishment of the medical course