What makes outpatient attendance worthwhile for patients?

All patients attending 10 general medical and general surgical outpatient clinics at a provincial teaching hospital were surveyed during a 1-week period. Questionnaires administered and completed by the patients at the time of the visit were used to establish the factors most closely associated with patients feeling that their consultations had been "very worthwhile". These were: consultations lasting more than 10 min, having received advice from a specialist and having been reassured. The study may provide a basis for a process of medical audit in outpatient departments and, thus, more appropriate services.