
GP s’ perceptions and experiences of public awareness campaigns for cancer: a qualitative enquiry
Author(s) -
Green Trish,
Atkin Karl,
Macleod Una
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
health expectations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.314
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1369-7625
pISSN - 1369-6513
DOI - 10.1111/hex.12362
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , public health , referral , medicine , qualitative research , perception , legitimacy , population , nursing , public relations , family medicine , psychology , sociology , political science , environmental health , social science , neuroscience , politics , law
Background Public awareness campaigns for cancer are used to alert the UK population to symptoms which, if experienced, should be discussed with their general practitioner ( GP ). More timely diagnosis of cancer is assumed possible if patients with the appropriate symptoms present to GP s and GP s recognise the need to act on these symptoms. Objective To investigate GP s’ perceptions and experiences of public awareness campaigns for cancer. Methods Semi‐structured interviews with 55 GP s from practices in the North and North East of England and Greater London. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Repeated reading of GP transcripts engendered thematic analysis and co‐coding ensured legitimacy of findings. Results Participants supported the underpinning ethos of public health campaigns and articulated a commitment to engaging with patients with respect to cancer warning signs and symptoms despite the common perception that public awareness campaigns increased numbers of consultations. Tensions were evident with regard to increased demands on GP time and primary care resources during a period of major upheaval within the NHS . Concern was raised that some patients remain outwith the reach of campaign messages. The complexity of addressing how public health messages compete with other issues in people's lives was identified as challenging. Conclusions General practitioners provided insight into why some members of the general public do not engage with public health messages. Public health/primary care interaction that incorporates GP s' knowledge of their patient populations could advance the search for solutions to a more robust approach to earlier cancer recognition and referral in primary care.