RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Death certification and doctors' dilemmas: a qualitative study of GPs' perspectives JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 677 OP 683 VO 55 IS 518 A1 Carol McAllum A1 Ian St George A1 Gillian White YR 2005 UL http://bjgp.org/content/55/518/677.abstract AB Background Death certificate inaccuracies have implications for funding and planning public health services, health research and family settlements. Improved training has been identified as a way of reducing inaccuracies. Understanding the influences on certifying doctors should inform that training.Aim To explore what factors influence GPs as they complete death certificates.Design Focus groups held by teleconference with 16 GPs.Setting New Zealand general practice.Method Four teleconferenced focus groups were taped and transcribed. Transcripts were examined for emerging themes. Credibility, transferability and confirmability were underwritten by a clear audit trail.Results Participants identified two factors that influenced death certification: clinical uncertainty and the family. Other themes provided an understanding of the personal and professional concerns for GPs.Conclusion Improving death certification accuracy is a complex issue and needs to take into consideration factors that influence certifiers.