What do tests do for doctors? A qualitative study of blood testing in UK primary care

Jessica Watson, Isabel de Salis, Jonathan Banks, Chris Salisbury

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)
336 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Rates of blood testing are rising with significant geographical variability. Most research into diagnostic testing focuses on the role of tests in diagnostic decision-making.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the non-medical motives for blood testing by considering what tests do for doctors, through qualitative interviews with general practitioners (GPs).

Methods: We undertook 23 in-depth semi-structured interviews with UK GPs. Reasons for performing recent inflammatory marker blood tests were explored by reviewing GPs pathology inboxes to ground discussions in real-life clinical practice. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a grounded theory approach.

Results: Blood tests offer doctors a tool to manage uncertainty; within a context of increased litigation, risk aversion and reduced continuity of care. Tests can also be offered as a 'gift' for patients, a way to be seen to be 'doing something'; in the social context of time pressures and perceived patient pressures. There was a tension however. On the one hand, doctors talked about using tests for reassurance and as a 'gift' offering 'truth'. Yet paradoxically, they also discussed the challenges of uncertainty and anxiety from inconclusive test results.

Conclusion: Our study emphasises that defining 'unnecessary' blood testing may not be as simple as determining medical criteria for testing; psychosocial reasons may be equally valid and interlinked. Further research is needed to help GPs manage uncertainty within the context of a risk averse society, and to explore the congruence and dissonance between doctors' and patients' perceptions of testing.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbercmx051
Pages (from-to)735-739
Number of pages5
JournalFamily Practice
Volume34
Issue number6
Early online date13 Jun 2017
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Diagnosis
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Primary health care
  • Qualitative research
  • Routine
  • Uncertainty

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