Table 2.

The four steps in the thematic analysis.

Step 1 – possible themes	Step 2 – de-contextualisation	Step 3 – condensation	Step 4 – synthesis
Overall impression	From themes to codes	From codes to meaning	From condensation to description and concepts
Responsibility in treatment	‘(…) I am responsible for treating a diabetic patient who also has three other diseases. The focus must not only be on the treatment of diabetes (…)’ ‘(…) we know their background, their spouse, their children and their grandchildren (…)’	Important role as treatment coordinators In-deep knowledge of the patient’s life	According to the GPs, the needs can vary from patient to patient, particularly because many patients with a chronic disease often have multiple diseases. Therefore, it is very important to these patients that the GPs perform their role as the responsible treatment coordinator The GPs have an important role as a treatment coordinator because they have an overview of the patient’s particular course of treatment
Quality of care	‘(…) I think patient compliance increases in general practice. I think GPs can more easily help those patients who cannot follow the treatment when they are treated in general practice. I think compliance issues are easier to address in general practice (…)’ ‘(…) We do what we always do – provide high-quality treatment (…)’	GP patient relationship increases compliance High quality care in general practice	The GPs also find that the strong relationship between GP and patient contributes to increasing patient compliance. The GP’s knowledge of the patient enables a rapid response when a patient’s illness worsens in order to initiate the right treatment Further, GPs emphasise the importance of keeping up to date with the latest knowledge in the field, enabling them to offer their patients the best available treatment. This requires attention to the latest guidelines, as well as ongoing competence development.