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liking a doctor was influenced by any abruptness of manner and the doctor notprescribing the pills for which the subject had bargained. Some subjects whosaw the same doctor regularly had “confidence” in their doctors (“Hy geewonderlike behandelings”; “Sy’s altyd dieselfde — dierbaar”), while subjectswho saw different doctors on each occasion had less confidence (“I feel you’reno-one’s patient”; “Jy ken skaars ‘n dokter, dan is daar weer ‘n ander een”).Free download from www.hsrcpress.ac.za(iii)After the consultationDuring this phase patients appraise what happened during the consultation, interms of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the event, and they come todecisions about using the prescribed treatment. It is paradoxical that while theability of patients to control the outcomes of consultations is limited, they haveconsiderable ability to control what happens after they leave the centre.Compliance with prescribed treatments thus depends on evaluations of theencounter once patients return to their homes.A large majority of the subjects were found to be generally satisfied with theirconsultations (“Am quite satisfied afterwards... as I expected”). A few subjectsexpressed dissatisfaction; this was invariably linked to the subjects’expectations not being met (“I’m dissatisfied ... the doctor must look at mylegs”; “I didn’t get a script”; “Wat hy voorskryf help niks”). Less than half ofthe subjects reported that they were normally happy with the medicines thatthey are prescribed (“They give you the best pills... never try and give yousecond best”). Subjects who were dissatisfied were often cynical about themedicines provided by the centre (“Pills from outpatients aren’t any good”; “Icollect the medicine but I don’t take it ... no good”).In addition subjects were questioned on what advantages they perceived inattending the outpatient centre and what they disliked about the centre. Themajority stated that the most important advantage for them was that thetreatment was free. They often added that because of financial circumstancesthey had no option but to seek health care at the centre. Some subjectsexpressed satisfaction with the medical treatment that they receive. Othersenjoyed the opportunity for social contact (“Its an outing”). What the majoritydisliked most about their visits was the long waiting. Many subjects feltfrustrated about the frequency with which files were “lost”. A substantialproportion experienced transportation difficulties. Some subjects cited theimpersonal treatment that they receive from administrative staff and sometimesfrom doctors. A large number of subjects conceded that they simply “accept”the service as it is.5.2 InterpretationAlthough the focus of the study was on the patients’ perceptions of theirmedical encounters, it remains incumbent upon the qualitative researcher217