GPs' thoughts on prescribing medication and evidence-based knowledge: the benefit aspect is a strong motivator. A descriptive focus group study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe GPs' thoughts of prescribing medication and evidence-based knowledge (EBM) concerning drug therapy.


METHODS
Tape-recorded focus-group interviews transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative methods.


METHODS
GPs from the south-eastern part of Västra Götaland, Sweden.


METHODS
A total of 16 GPs out of 178 from the south-eastern part of the region strategically chosen to represent urban and rural, male and female, long and short GP experience.


METHODS
Transcripts were analysed using a descriptive qualitative method.


RESULTS
The categories were: benefits, time and space, and expert knowledge. The benefit was a merge of positive elements, all aspects of the GPs' tasks. Time and space were limitations for GPs' tasks. EBM as a constituent of expert knowledge should be more customer adjusted to be able to be used in practice. Benefit was the most important category, existing in every decision-making situation for the GP. The core category was prompt and pragmatic benefit, which was the utmost benefit.


CONCLUSIONS
GPs' thoughts on evidence-based medicine and prescribing medication were highly related to reflecting on benefit and results. The interviews indicated that prompt and pragmatic benefit is important for comprehending their thoughts.
Skoglund
Ingmarie
I
Department of Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Sweden. ingmarie.skolund@vgregion.se
Segesten
Kerstin
K
Björkelund
Cecilia
C
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003657:Decision Making; D004346:Drug Information Services; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013548:Sweden