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GPs have called for more time with patients after a survey revealed that Britons have some of the shortest medical consultations in Europe.
The survey, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that GPs spend an average of just nine minutes with each patient.
This compares to an average of 15 minutes in Switzerland and Belgium and a European average of almost 11 minutes.
The British Medical Association said the finding highlighted the fact that British GPs were overworked and more doctors were needed.
Researchers from Ghent University looked at 190 GPs from six European countries with different healthcare systems. They videotaped and analysed appointments with 3,674 patients.
Their study revealed huge variations across Europe in the length of time GPs spend with patients.
It found that the longest consultations take place in Switzerland, lasting an average of 15.6 minutes.
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