Dutch general practitioners' management of patients with distal osteoarthritic symptoms

Little is known about general practitioners' (GPs') policy with respect to patients with distal osteoarthritic symptoms. Therefore, the medical records of 196 patients with distal osteoarthritis were studied with respect to the GPs' management. In addition, 14 Dutch GPs' were interviewed on their management of patients with distal osteoarthritic symptoms. We found varying approaches with no consensus among GPs' and no relationship between their policies and GP, patient, or illness characteristics. We believe there is a need to develop a consensus on GPs' policy with respect to osteoarthritic patients, and to develop standards, based on research in general practice.