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

Abstract

Objective. To assess waiting times and length of medical consultations in the Manaus metropolitan region, Brazil. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted with adults living in the region in 2015. Waiting time for consultation and length of consultation in minutes were reported by the participants. Analysis was performed using Tobit regression and weighted by the sample design. Results. 4,001 individuals were interviewed. Average waiting time was 125.4 minutes (95%CI 120.2;130.5), while consultations lasted an average of 52.5 minutes (95%CI 48.0;57.0). Women, poor people, people with less education, indigenous people, people resident in the state interior, people without health insurance, and individuals seen by gynecologists waited longer for their consultation (p <0.05). Consultation time was shorter for non-White people, those with poor health status and those who had health insurance (p <0.05). Conclusion. On average length of medical consultations was half the waiting time. Social inequalities were observed in these lengths of time.