Death certification and doctors' dilemmas: a qualitative study of GPs' perspectives.
BACKGROUND
Death certificate inaccuracies have implications for funding and planning public health services, health research and family settlements. Improved training has been identified as a way of reducing inaccuracies. Understanding the influences on certifying doctors should inform that training.


OBJECTIVE
To explore what factors influence GPs as they complete death certificates.


METHODS
Focus groups held by teleconference with 16 GPs.


METHODS
New Zealand general practice.


METHODS
Four teleconferenced focus groups were taped and transcribed. Transcripts were examined for emerging themes. Credibility, transferability and confirmability were underwritten by a clear audit trail.


RESULTS
Participants identified two factors that influenced death certification: clinical uncertainty and the family. Other themes provided an understanding of the personal and professional concerns for GPs.


CONCLUSIONS
Improving death certification accuracy is a complex issue and needs to take into consideration factors that influence certifiers.
McAllum
Carol
C
St Joseph's Mercy Hospice, Auckland, New Zealand. carolm@mercy.co.nz
St George
Ian
I
White
Gillian
G
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002423:Cause of Death; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003644:Death Certificates; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000592:standards; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology