Table 3.
Benefits of routine HRQoL assessment according to GPs (n = 17) and practice assistants (n = 27).
| Category* | Example | Frequency** |
| Focus on patient-physician communication (e.g. on sensitive topics) | „If you see that something is getting worse, it is easier to start talking about the problem" | 13 GPs, 3 PA |
| Information about course of diseases | „The progression over time is most interesting" | 11 GPs, 3 PA |
| Standardised information about current well-being | „It provides comparable results and facilitates documentation" | 11 GPs, 1 PA |
| Contribution to physicians' understanding of patients' personal condition and circumstances | „It gives a holistic view and information, which I otherwise would miss" | 9 GPs, 3 PA |
| Aid for adaptation of medical treatment | „It helps to recognise shortcomings in current therapy" | 8 GPs, 2 PA |
| Commitment to patient centred care | „Patients get the impression of being taken seriously" | 6 GPs, 12 PA |
| Self-reflection and compliance of patients | „Patients can have a look at the results and think about it" | 2 GPs, 4 PA |
| Professionalism and marketing | „It supports the professional appearance of the practice" | 5 GPs |
| Resource management | „You get more information in less time and thus gain time for counselling" | 4 GPs |
* as defined according to the qualitative content analysis approach.
** number of GPs and practice assistants (PA); mentions of several categories per participant possible