TY - JOUR T1 - CQI-2 — a new measure of holistic interpersonal care in primary care consultations JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 262 LP - 268 VL - 56 IS - 525 AU - Stewart W Mercer AU - John GR Howie Y1 - 2006/04/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/56/525/262.abstract N2 - Background The Consultation Quality Index (CQI) is a holistic quality marker for GPs based on patient enablement, continuity of the care and consultation length.Aim To evaluate the CQI-2, a new version of the CQI incorporating a process measure of GP empathy (the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure).Design of study Cross-sectional questionnaire study.Setting General practice in the west of Scotland.Method Empathy, enablement, continuity, and consultation length were measured in 3044 consultations involving 26 GPs in 26 different practices in the west of Scotland. CQI-2 scores were calculated and correlated with additional data on GPs' and patients' attitudes. Comparisons were also made with the UK–wide data from which the original CQI had been calculated.Results CQI-2 scores were independent of deprivation, access, demographics, and case-mix. GPs with lower CQI-2 scores valued empathy and longer consultations less than these GPs with higher CQI-2 scores. ‘Below average CQI-2’ GPs (those in the bottom 25%) also felt less valued by patients and colleagues. Patients' showed less confidence in and gained less satisfaction from these doctors. Data ranges from the study were comparable with the UK data ranges used to construct the original CQI.Conclusions The CQI-2 is a new measure of holistic interpersonal care. In a small but representative sample of GPs it appears to differentiate between below and above average doctors. CQI-2 scores may reflect important aspects of morale, core values and patient-centred care. There may be potential for its use as part of professional development and as a component of the general medical services contract. ER -