Since 2007, HFMD surveillance has been performed in Beijing, and relies on measuring consultations for clinically diagnosed cases [ 4].
Three single-topic studies measured consultation behaviour, of which Francis et al 25 found reduced intention to consult in the intervention compared to control group while two did not.
Tables 1, 2 and 4 contain information on the method used to measure consultation length for each study.
In the sampling period (the first six months), a nurse measured consultation time, and asked every fifth patient who met the inclusion criteria if they were willing to repeat their given advice after leaving the consultation with the GP.
Additionally, the nurse gave an overall score for each FOC on a 5-point Likert scale, from 1 (very weak) to 5 (very good).> -wrap-foot> aMann-Whitney test: U = 487, z = 2.08, p = .04, r = .28 bMann-Whitney test: U = 514, z = 2.25, p = .02, r = .30 The SPs completed the so called CARE-questionnaire, a validated instrument consisting of 10 questions to measure consultation skills and empathy [ 27].
In order to identify other relevant measures, consultation with two key groups about their knowledge of other existing mental health measures was conducted: 1) the experts in child and adolescent psychology, education and psychometrics from the research group, 2) child mental health practitioners accessed via established UK networks (from which 58 practitioners responded).
A non-parametric 'analog' of the coefficient of variance, i.e., the ratio of IQR-to-median values, robustly measures annual consultation rate dispersion for each CSCOM service area.
At baseline, height, weight and waist circumference are measured during consultation.
Body temperature was not measured during consultation and patients were not instructed to measure body temperature at home.
Together, measured patient consultation and provider variables accounted for most (80%) of the variation in intervention practices between providers.
