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. DESIGN: Tape-recorded focus-group interviews transcribed verbatim and analysed using qualitative methods. SETTING: GPs from the south-eastern part of Västra Götaland, Sweden. SUBJECTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.

Nyckelord

Benefit aspects

evidence-based medicine

family practice

general practitioner

pharmaceutical therapy

prescribing

utilitarianism

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)