Objective. The aim of the present study was to explore the factors that con
tribute to the process of decision making within general practice, over and
above evidence-based information.
Methods. A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews
on a purposeful sample of GPs, based in the South West of England. Each in
terview was tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
Results. Five broad categories emerged from the data: practitioner; patient
; practitioner-patient relationship; verbal and non-verbal communication; e
vidence-based medicine; and external factors.
Conclusion. The nature of general practice is such that the process of maki
ng clinical decisions is complex. In an era when GPs are being overwhelmed
by evidence-based information, consideration needs to be given to the impli
cations that the nature of the decision-making process has upon the way 'ev
idence' is constructed and promoted within general practice.