A proposal for a behavioral pre-consultation: Analysis of the use of a protocol during consultations

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze how physicians, caregivers, and children use protocols regarding estimated issues to medical visits, procedure named pre-consultation lists, along treatment for childhood cancer. Three pediatricians and 24 dyads child-caregiver took part; each pair was interviewed before medical visits in order to report doubts, needs and issues estimated to the consultation. This list was attached to child's medical record as a memo of themes to discuss in the next medical visit. Results show that two physicians included effectively this file in their consultations and discussed a great amount of issues listed by caregivers and patients. Children did not refer to the listed issues, but parents, in smaller amounts, discussed the themes in the protocol. This procedure contributed to insert the child in consultations and it may facilitate the focus on specific themes, however the physician's main role in managing communication during pediatric medical visits is highlighted.