Table 3.
Overview of management strategies
| Management strategies | n of consultations a (%) b | n of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic strategies | ||
| Exploration of symptoms | 36 (3.5) | 22 |
| Physical examination | 254 (24.5) | 67 |
| Additional investigations within GP practice | 151 (14.6) | 61 |
| Laboratory tests | 115 (11.1) | 57 |
| ECG | 17 (1.6) | 14 |
| X-ray | 22 (2.1) | 16 |
| Echography | 7 (0.7) | 7 |
| Other | 7 (0.7) | 7 |
| Diagnostic referral | 34 (3.3) | 27 |
| Discussing test results | 62 (6.0) | 39 |
| Therapeutic strategies | ||
| Shared problem definition | 4 (0.4) | 4 |
| Education and explanation | 116 (11.2) | 46 |
| Advice | 112 (10.8) | 45 |
| Lifestyle/dietary advice | 53 (5.1) | 31 |
| Physical exercise advice | 52 (5.0) | 28 |
| Other advice | 17 (1.7) | 13 |
| Symptom diary | 12 (1.2) | 10 |
| Shared plan for symptom management | 48 (4.6) | 28 |
| Setting up a time contingent plan | 1 (0.1) | 1 |
| Discussing/giving advice about medication | 97 (9.4) | 35 |
| Medication | 255 (24.6) | 65 |
| Over the counter medication (OTC) | 69 (6.7) | 30 |
| Prescribed medication | 201 (19.4) | 62 |
| NSAIDs | 37 (3.6) | 24 |
| Opioids | 31 (3.0) | 19 |
| Psychopharmacological medication | 35 (3.4) | 20 |
| Sleeping medication | 25 (2.4) | 15 |
| Antibiotics | 7 (0.7) | 6 |
| Other | 83 (8.0) | 44 |
| Unclear OTC or prescribed medication | 6 (0.6) | 5 |
| Vitamin pills/injections | 121 (11.7) | 12 |
| Medication adjustment | 71 (6.9) | 29 |
| Dose increase | 22 (2.1) | 15 |
| Dose reduction | 18 (1.7) | 13 |
| Discontinuation | 37 (3.6) | 21 |
| Refill prescription | 28 (2.7) | 11 |
| Referral within primary care | 47 (4.5) | 31 |
| Physiotherapist | 25 (2.4) | 18 |
| Mental health nurse practitioner | 14 (1.4) | 12 |
| Other | 9 (0.9) | 9 |
| Physiotherapist appointment | 27 (2.6) | 20 |
| Mental health nurse practitioner appointment | 29 (2.8) | 8 |
| Referral to secondary care for treatment | 26 (2.5) | 18 |
| Medical specialist | 14 (1.4) | 9 |
| Rehabilitation | 15 (1.4) | 13 |
| Referral to secondary care (unclear for diagnostics or treatment) | 46 (4.4) | 31 |
| Rheumatologist | 11 (1.1) | 10 |
| Neurologist | 10 (1.0) | 9 |
| Gastroenterologist | 7 0.7) | 6 |
| Internist | 6 (0.6) | 6 |
| Psychiatrist | 1 (0.1) | 1 |
| Other | 12 (1.1) | 12 |
| Referral to a psychologist | 5 (0.5) | 5 |
| GP consulting another health professional | 46 (4.4) | 22 |
| Colleague GP | 21 (2.0) | 6 |
| Secondary care medical specialist | 12 (1.2) | 9 |
| Other | 13 (1.3) | 10 |
| Discussing progress | 168 (16.2) | 52 |
| Follow-up appointment | 122 (11.8) | 51 |
| Contact if necessary | 87 (8.4) | 41 |
| Wait and see | 97 (9.4) | 38 |
| Other | 44 (4.3) | 26 |
| Unspecified | 41 (4.0) | 1 |
aDoes not add up to 1035 because GPs recorded more than one ICPC codes during one consultation
bDoes not add up to 100% because GPs recorded more than one ICPC codes during one consultation