Appendix 2

Studies providing qualitative data for this systematic review.

Author(s) and yearCountryNumber studiedPopulation studiedStudy designResponders, nAge, yearsResponders adding comments, na
Allibone et al, 198123UK1444Medical graduates 1935–1959Postal questionnaire93252.2b561
Richards, 198913UK501Family physicians contracted with Avon family Practitioner Committee at 1 July 1987Postal questionnairec431≥35: 27.4%; 36–50: 47.8%; ≥51: 23.7%n/a
Chambers and Belcher, 199215UK275Family physicians attending a course or postgraduate lectureGiven questionnaire at meeting24742.2b98
McKevitt and Morgan, 199711UK64Doctors with an illness invited to participate in researchInterviews: face-to-face or telephoneb6427–65
Richards, 199931New Zealand500Registered doctorsPostal questionnaire311<30: 13.5%; 30–49: 67.5%; >50: 18.9%109
Rosen et al, 200032US389Internal medicine residents(four training programmes)Postal questionnaire31629b59
Thompson et al, 200114UK (Northern Ireland)172Family physiciansFocus groups and interviews27n/a
Shadbolt, 200224Australia300Junior house officersSurvey (issued) and focus groups156n/a
Fromme et al, 200422US38Physician-patients with cancerSemi-structured interview2328–83n/a

  • ↵a Some quantitative studies asked for qualitative comments.

  • ↵b Average.

  • ↵c Some information is based on hypothetical situations. n/a = not available. Registered doctors = sample of doctors from a medical register.