title: Worrying about wasting GP time as a barrier to help-seeking: a community-based, qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Worrying about wasting GP time is frequently cited as a barrier to help-seeking for cancer symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore the circumstances under which individuals feel that they are wasting GP time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community-based, qualitative interview studies that took place in London, the South East and the North West of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviewees (n = 62) were recruited from a sample (n = 2042) of adults aged ≥50 years, who completed a 'health survey' that included a list of cancer 'alarm' symptoms. Individuals who reported symptoms at baseline that were still present at the 3-month follow-up (n = 271), and who had also consented to be contacted (n = 215), constituted the pool of people invited for interview. Analyses focused on accounts of worrying about wasting GP time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants were worried about wasting GP time when time constraints were visible, while dismissive interactions with their GP induced a worry of unnecessary help-seeking. Many felt that symptoms that were not persistent, worsening, or life-threatening did not warrant GP attention. Additionally, patients considered it time-wasting when they perceived attention from nurses or pharmacists to be sufficient, or when appointment structures (for example, 'one issue per visit') were not adhered to. Close relationships with GPs eased worries about time-wasting, while some patients saw GPs as fulfilling a service financed by taxpayers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Worrying about wasting GP time is a complex barrier to help-seeking. GP time and resource scarcity, symptom gravity, appointment etiquette, and previous GP interactions contribute to increasing worries. Friendly GP relationships, economic reasoning, and a focus on the GP's responsibilities as a medical professional reduce this worry.
authors.forename: Susanne K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cromme
authors.forename: Katriina L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Winstanley
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Renzi
authors.forename: Claire Friedemann
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardle
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003657:Decision Making; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D058006:General Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D000066505:Help-Seeking Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012941:Social Responsibility
keywords: cancer; diagnosis; help-seeking behaviour; neoplasms; primary health care