Concepts underlying outcome measures in studies of consultations in general practice.

Objective: To give an overview of the concepts used to describe and evaluate the outcome of general practice consultations.

Method: A literature study was undertaken. Among 101 articles relevant to the subject 35 were chosen to illustrate the concepts found.

Result: The following concepts were found: disease control, patient compliance, efficacy, symptom relief, enablement, general health, and patient satisfaction. The first three concepts encourage objective measurement while the following four concern the patient's subjective assessment. Methods naturally linked to the respective concepts are briefly described.

Discussion: The concepts reflect very diverse aspects of general practice. Some of the concepts come from other domains of research, while others have been developed within general practice. Disease is not exclusively in focus. The experience, competence, and life situation of the patient are as well dealt with as they should be in accordance with a patient-centred profession. However, the concepts spring from the researchers' ideas about what is important to patients. The patients' priorities were not sought.