Task complexity | | | |
Task size | Multiple goals, multiple options, excess information | LOW: Usually explicit task, focused information | HIGH: Difficulty unpicking information and prioritising for health gain |
Task novelty | Lack of experience | VARIABLE: GPs knowledge of the local systems and clinical experience will be variable | VARIABLE: GPs knowledge of the local systems and clinical experience will be variable |
Task ambiguity | Unclear goals, confusing information | LOW: Patient expectation dictates GP action | HIGH: GPs seek to engage patient |
Relationships | Conflicting goals, decision conflict | HIGH: Patient wish versus defensive versus. resource use | HIGH: Imperative to treat versus patient fear/reluctance versus resource use |
Action complexity | Lack of coordination, information flow | LOW: Clear lines of communication, option of private referral for some | HIGH: Events above patients’ health literacy level |
Variability | Changing information | LOW: Patients report concerns promptly | HIGH: Patients often accept deterioration rather than notify GPs/seek help |
Temporal | Time pressure | HIGH: Present | HIGH: Present |
Patient complexity | | | |
Physical health | Multimorbidity, polypharmacy | LOW: Few other conditions, controlled | HIGH: Multiple comorbid conditions |
Mental health | Anxiety, other illness, substance dependency | MIXED: Anxiety drives referral for some | MIXED: Anxiety drives referral for some |
Demographics | Age, socioeconomic, ethnicity | MIXED: Older but independent | HIGH: Younger but sicker, challenge of continuing to be economically active |
Social capital | Poverty, low social support, high treatment burden | LOW: High social capital, networks of support and advocacy | HIGH: Low social capital, variable support but little advocacy |
Health and social experiences | Heavy use of resource, difficulty navigating systems | LOW: Adept at using and choosing systems as consumers | HIGH: Need assistance (sometimes ongoing) to navigate systems. Safety nets are less likely to work |