Study	Reason for exclusion
Anderson 1992	intervention only one session
Baillargeon 1998	no RCT, CCT, or CPPT (single‐case experimental design)
Barkham 1989	intervention not performed by GP
Beusterien 2000	no psychosocial intervention (information only)
Blomhoff 2001	intervention performed by GPs, non‐specialist physicians and psychiatrists (no separate analysis)
Bowman 2000	no psychosocial intervention (telephone assessment)
Brody 1990	intervention only one session
Calfas 1996	intervention only one session
Catalan 1984	less than two standardised face‐to‐face contacts
Durand 2002	no psychosocial intervention (self‐help manual)
Fleming 1997	intervention performed by GPs and general internists (no separate analysis)
Fleming 1999	intervention performed by GPs and general internists (no separate analysis)
Gask 1992	no RCT, CCT or CPPT (narrative review)
Goldstein 1999	intervention performed by GPs and general internists (no separate analysis)
Heatley 2005	no data on outcomes in patients
Horst 1997	less than two standardised face‐to‐face contacts (second contact merely optional)
Issakidis 1999	intervention not performed by GP
Katzelnick 2000	no psychosocial intervention (pharmacotherapy)
King 1998	no psychosocial intervention (education of GPs)
King 2002	no standardised number of face‐to‐face contacts (effects of training rather than effects of applying intervention)
Kottke 1989	no psychosocial intervention (advice and information only)
Malt 1999	intervention only in combination with (placebo) pharmacotherapy
McLeod 1997	intervention not performed by GP
Morriss 1999	no RCT, CCT or CPPT (before‐ and after‐training study)
Ockene I 1999	intervention not performed by GP
Ockene J 1991	intervention not performed by GP
Patel 1988	intervention performed by GP in combination with intervention by nurse (no separate analysis)
Peveler 1999	intervention not performed by GP
Pill 1998	intervention performed by GPs and nurses (no separate analysis)
Scott 1997	intervention not performed by GP
Simkin 1997	intervention performed by GPs and general internists (no separate analysis)
Skinner 1984	intervention not performed by GP
Swinson 1992	intervention not performed by GP (not even in primary care)
Wadden 1997	intervention not performed by GP
Wallace 1988	no psychosocial intervention (advice and information only)
White 1990	intervention not performed by GP
Whitehead 2002	no standardised face‐to‐face contacts required
Wilson 1988	intervention only in combination with nicotine gum