Waiting time and medical consultation length in Manaus metropolitan region, Brazil: a cross-sectional, population-based study, 2015

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the waiting time and the duration of medical consultations in Manaus metropolitan region, Brazil. Methods. Cross-sectional study conducted with adults living in the region in 2015. The waiting time for consultation and the duration of the consultation in minutes were self-reported by the participants. The analysis was performed by Tobit regression and weighted by the complex design. Results. 4,001 individuals were interviewed. The average waiting time was 125.4 minutes (95%CI 120.2;130.5), while consultation lasted an average of 52.5 minutes (95%CI 48.0;57.0). Women, poor people, low-educated people, indigenous individuals, countryside residents, people without health insurance, and individuals consulted by gynecologists waited longer for the consultation (p <0.05). Consultation time was shorter with non-white people, with poor health status and with health insurance (p <0.05). Conclusion. The length of the medical consultation was on average half the waiting time. Social inequalities were observed in these times.