Physician Productivity in Clinic Settings.

This study was assigned as part of the Army Medical Department AMEDD Study Program, FY 82. An extensive literature review was accomplished to include critiquing and summarizing of numerous articles. Examples of productivity measurement methods are described from randomly selected articles. The summary of each article includes the unit of measurement and method used. The effectiveness of the type of measuring method used is also addressed. Although no completely satisfactory measurement method exists because of limitations that must be considered such as patient mix, office arrangement, rural area versus metropolitan area, nature of illness, etc., the cited examples described in this report show time and motion measurement as the most widely used method. Study results reveal a definite need for the development of a well-defined collection methodology for use by OTSG and which, as recommended, should encompass the following elements 1 frequency with which various tasks are performed, 2 numbers and types of examinations, 3 frequency of diagnostic categories, 4 diagnosis and procedures by providerclinic, and 5 aggregate procedural data.