How this fits in

Previous research has quantified paediatric diagnostic test use in general practice and identified variation in testing; however, to our knowledge, there is no research that explores paediatric testing from GPs’ perspectives. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 GPs and two trainee GPs. Interview participants described how their approach to testing in children differed from their approach to testing in adults, they had varied opinions about the utility of specific tests for children, and they explored the possible factors that drive variation in paediatric testing practices. Our findings highlight key actions that clinicians, researchers, and policymakers can take to reduce unwarranted variation in test use and provide equitable care for children in general practice.