The impact of non-health attributes of care on patients' choice of GP

Abstract

After completing a structured evaluation of their general practitioner (GP) in terms of non-health factors, 128 people who had visited their GP in the past six months for treatment of a minor condition were administered a discrete choice experiment (DCE) designed to evaluate their preferences for non-health attributes of care within a general practice consultation. SAS and SYSTAT were used to analyse responses. Trust, legitimation, recognition of and support for emotional distress, dignity, reassurance and information (whether it is asked for or not), were the attributes respondents valued most highly. In general, participants were unwilling to change GPs.