Table 2. GPs’ quotations linked to key themes.

Theme	Quotation
Conceptualisation of the population of men with LUTS
Those seeking PSA tests	‘ . . . I think very few have no symptoms whatsoever but most of the people who are coming asking for PSA [tests] I guess perhaps aren't that bothered by their symptoms . . . If you ask about symptoms they say, “Oh no, I’m fine really, I’m normal for my age . . . somebody told me I should have a test . . . ”.’ GP1
Men with moderate-to-severe LUTS	‘I've never really thought of conservative measures for prostate enlargement [as opposed to irritable bowel syndrome] . . . I go straight in with medicines there, possibly too early . . . if they’re not working I would think, “Hang on, this isn’t going the way that I had hoped it would” and I would refer [to urology].’ GP2
Clinical pressures, tensions and consultation times
Routine tests and consultation time pressure	’Usually, we’ll examine them for [palpable] bladder, do a rectal examination, blood test to look at the kidneys and dip their urine for infection, diabetes as well and send an MSU off . . . ’ GP3
PSA test pressures and tensions	’If ... they see that you’re giving them a barrier to being tested, that can sometimes, and has in one case, ended up in quite an unpleasant complaint: ”My doctor didn’t take me seriously”.’ GP4
The nature of self-management guidance offered to men
Read-at-home information	’I go to patient.info, which used to be patient.co.uk. So, I print them off that . . . It’s incredibly long . . . I think it’s eight pages printed double-sided. And that does slightly put me off printing it off. So, I think I probably have printed it one in three times, I guess.’ GP5
Lack of awareness or focus on male pelvic floor	‘ . . . pelvic floor exercises . . . are not as well known about in men as they are with women [and] none of that is actually included in any of the urology clinic letters that come back from the specialist, so we’re not even seeing it in the specialists, saying, “Oh yeah, I’ve given the patient these exercises to do”, and I think, really, until that happens probably the GP’s practice won’t change.’ GP6

LUTS = lower urinary tract infection; MSU = mid-stream specimen of urine; PSA = prostate-specific antigen;