title: General practitioner perceptions of low back pain patients.
abstract: General practitioners' perceptions of low back pain (LBP) patients were investigated through a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews, as part of a wider study which also investigated patient perceptions. An exhaustive analysis of the interview transcripts revealed six principal ways in which GPs distinguished between different patients as a means of deciding how to treat them. This differentiation, on the basis of patient characteristics, is the major focus for the resulting discussion and conclusions, and is used as a way of exploring more effective strategies for the future.
authors.affiliation: School of Education, University of Nottingham, University Park, UK.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Skelton
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: O'Dowd
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires