Study characteristics
| Authors | Country | Method | Sample | Sampling approach/response rate | Primary objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chew-Graham et al (2008) 28 | UK | In-depth interviews, thematic analysis | Purposive sample of 19 GPs recruited from participants in multicentre RCT (RESPOND — Randomised Evaluation of antidepressants and Support for women with POstNatal Depression) | Sampling was purposive and sought to achieve maximum variation in relation to GPs’ age, sex, length of time in general practice, practice size and level of deprivation | To explore the views of GPs and health visitors on the diagnosis and management of postnatal depression |
| Chew-Graham et al (2009) 29 | UK | In-depth interviews, thematic analysis | Same sample as Chew-Graham (2008) above | As above | To explore GPs’, health visitors’, and females’ views on the disclosure of symptoms that may indicate depression in primary care |
| Jayawickrama et al (2010) 31 | Australia | Anonymous postal survey, content analysis | 335 GPs: 70% female 37% aged 45–54 years 84% obtained medical degree in Australia 90% had children 49% of them (or their partners) had >12 months experience of breastfeeding | 125/640 (19.5%) GPs responded to survey and provided open-ended comments on prescribing decisions, 54 GPs (8.4%) mentioned depression | Explore GPs’ decision making when they are considering recommending or prescribing medication for a breastfeeding woman |
| McCauley and Casson (2013) 30 | UK (Northern Ireland) | Semi-structured interviews, Colaizzi’s process of analysis | Eight GPs: two male, six female | Ten practice managers were invited to identify GPs who were eligible for involvement, eight GPs were identified | Develop an in-depth understanding of GPs’ experience of using guidelines in the treatment of perinatal depression and if this enabled them to empower women to become involved in treatment decisions |
| Khan (2015) 32 | Mainly UK | Postal survey plus semi-structured interview with three survey responders, interpretive phenomenology | 43 GPs: 40 from England, one from Wales, one from Scotland, one from India Over half had <11 years’ experience in general practice, just over a third had practised for 1–3 years. Just over a quarter had >20 years’ experience. 14% felt they held a partially specialist role in perinatal mental health care | The GP survey was distributed to an unknown but large number of GPs through virtual portals. Only 43 GPs responded | To better understand the contribution of GPs to the area of perinatal mental health |