GPs' attitudes to minor ailments

Area of Science:

• General Practice
• Healthcare Management
• Patient Care

Background:

• Minor ailments constitute a significant portion of 'inappropriate' demand for general practitioner (GP) services.
• GP management of minor ailments impacts future patient self-care and perceptions of illness.
• Limited research exists on GP attitudes toward minor ailment management, despite its implications for workload.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore general practitioners' experiences and perceptions of minor ailment consultations.
• To understand general practitioners' attitudes towards managing minor ailments.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire survey was developed from 20 qualitative interviews with practicing GPs.
• The survey was distributed to 759 GPs across eight English health authorities.
• Attitudinal statements were analyzed using factor analysis.

Main Results:

• 414 GPs (54.5%) responded, with nearly all reporting recent minor ailment consultations.
• Factor analysis identified four key factors influencing GP attitudes: pharmacists, patient empowerment, consultation frustration, and risk/caution.
• GPs regularly manage minor illnesses and symptoms.

Conclusions:

• GP frustration with minor ailment consultations is evident but influenced by complex factors.
• Inter-professional relationships, particularly with pharmacists, are crucial for optimal minor ailment management.
• Efficient use of finite healthcare resources necessitates appropriate and accessible care for increasing patient demand.