dc.contributor.author | Hardwick, RJL | |
dc.contributor.author | Heaton, J | |
dc.contributor.author | Griffiths, G | |
dc.contributor.author | Vaidya, B | |
dc.contributor.author | Child, S | |
dc.contributor.author | Fleming, S | |
dc.contributor.author | Hamilton, W | |
dc.contributor.author | Tomlinson, J | |
dc.contributor.author | Zhelev, Z | |
dc.contributor.author | Patterson, A | |
dc.contributor.author | Hyde, C | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2015-04-13T09:13:54Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014 | |
dc.description.abstract | Background: The ordering of thyroid function tests (TFTs) is increasing but there is not a similar increase in thyroid disorders in the general population, leading some to query whether inappropriate testing is taking place. Inconsistent clinical practice is thought to be a cause of this, but there is little evidence of the views of general practitioners, practice nurses or practice managers on the reasons for variation in the ordering of TFTs.Aim: To find out the reasons for variation in ordering of TFTs from the perspective of primary healthcare professionals Methods: Fifteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with primary healthcare professionals (general practitioners, practice nurses, practice managers) that used one laboratory of a general hospital in South West England for TFTs. Framework Analysis was used to analyse views on test ordering variation at the societal, practice, individual practitioner and patient level.Results: A number of reasons for variation in ordering across practices were suggested. These related to: primary healthcare professionals awareness of and adherence to national policy changes; practices having different protocols on TFTs ordering; the set-up and use of computer systems in practices; the range of practice healthcare professionals able to order TFTs; greater risk-aversion amongst general practitioners and changes in their training and finally how primary healthcare staff responded to patients who were perceived to seek help more readily than in the past.Conclusion: The reasons for variation in TFTs ordering are complex and interdependent. Interventions to reduce variation in TFTs ordering need to consider multiple behavioural and contextual factors to be most effective. | en_GB |
dc.description.sponsorship | NIHR | en_GB |
dc.identifier.citation | Vol. 22, Issue 6, pp. 256 - 261 | en_GB |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10871/16745 | |
dc.language.iso | en | en_GB |
dc.publisher | Insight Medical Publishing Group | en_GB |
dc.relation.url | https://www.primescholars.com/articles/exploring-reasons-for-variation-in-ordering-thyroid-function-tests-in-primary-care-a-qualitative-study-100296.html | en_GB |
dc.rights | © 2014 Insight Medical Publishing Group | en_GB |
dc.title | Exploring reasons for variation in ordering thyroid function tests in primary care: a qualitative study | en_GB |
dc.type | Article | en_GB |
dc.date.available | 2015-04-13T09:13:54Z | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1479-1072 | |
dc.identifier.journal | Quality in Primary Care | en_GB |