Table 2.

Summary of included studies for DEP4 experience

Study reference	Study type	Aim of study	Number of participants	Characteristics of participants	Method of analysis	Methods
Dowrick et al, 200915	Semi- structured qualitative interviews with GPs and patients	To gain understanding of GP and patient opinions of the routine introduction of standardised measures of severity of depression through the UK GP QOF	34 GPs; 24 patients (from 38 practices in 3 localities)	Purposive sampling used for a maximum-variation approach; for GPs, variation was by sex, years of experience, full-time/part-time practice, trainer-non-trainer, location, and size of practice; for patients, variation was by sex, age, self-defined ethnicity, and sociodemographic group	Constant comparative analysis, using open, axial, and selective coding.	Interviews used broad prompts, including for views on intended and unintended consequences of the introduction of a severity indicator; GPs were asked to provide examples; patients were asked to describe how they felt, and their understanding and views on the impact of assessment
Leydon et al, 201118	As for Dowrick et al, 200914	To gain understanding of GPs’ opinions and perceived impact on practice of the routine introduction of standardised questionnaire measures of severity of depression through the UK general practice contract QOF	34 GPs	As for Dowrick et al, 200914	As for Dowrick et al, 200914	Interviews used broad prompts, asking GPs about their experience of using the severity indicators in practice, and their views on their use
Mitchell et al, 201120	Focus groups of healthcare professionals from four general practices	To explore primary care practitioner perspectives on the clinical utility of the NICE guideline and the impact of the QOF on diagnosis and management of depression in routine practice	38 participants, including GPs, nurses, doctors in training, mental health workers, and a manager	Four diverse practices purposely identified, following a postal invitation to 26 practices in one region	Iterative, thematic and self-conscious; emergent content units identified, coded, grouped into themes, and compared across groups	Focus groups led by trained facilitator, using a topic guide; open questioning used, allowing participants to explore themes

NICE = National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. QOF = Quality and Outcomes Framework.