R Mears1, K Sweeney. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore the factors that contribute to the process of decision making within general practice, over and above evidence-based information. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews on a purposeful sample of GPs, based in the South West of England. Each interview was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Five broad categories emerged from the data: practitioner; patient; practitioner-patient relationship; verbal and non-verbal communication; evidence-based medicine; and external factors. CONCLUSION: The nature of general practice is such that the process of making clinical decisions is complex. In an era when GPs are being overwhelmed by evidence-based information, consideration needs to be given to the implications that the nature of the decision-making process has upon the way 'evidence' is constructed and promoted within general practice.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to explore the factors that contribute to the process of decision making within general practice, over and above evidence-based information. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews on a purposeful sample of GPs, based in the South West of England. Each interview was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Five broad categories emerged from the data: practitioner; patient; practitioner-patient relationship; verbal and non-verbal communication; evidence-based medicine; and external factors. CONCLUSION: The nature of general practice is such that the process of making clinical decisions is complex. In an era when GPs are being overwhelmed by evidence-based information, consideration needs to be given to the implications that the nature of the decision-making process has upon the way 'evidence' is constructed and promoted within general practice.
Authors: Katarina Novak; Dino Mirić; Ana Jurin; Katarina Vukojević; Jure Aljinović; Ana Carić; Maja Marinović Guić; Ana Poljicanin; Vana Kosta; Dalibora Rako; Ana Marusic; Matko Marusić; Livia Puljak Journal: Croat Med J Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 1.351