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GPs’ experience with diagnosis and treatment guidelines for lower UTI in men: a qualitative interview

Kornfält Isberg, Helena LU ; Gröndal, Hedvig and Tyrstrup, Mia LU (2024) In BJGP open 8(3).
Abstract
Background: The incidence of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) in men visiting primary health
care (PHC) is low. Hence, GPs do not diagnose and treat men with LUTI very often. Previous studies
have shown that adherence to treatment guidelines regarding LUTI in men is low. There is limited
knowledge concerning why guidelines are not adhered to.
Aim: To gain knowledge on GPs’ experiences and concerns when treating men with LUTI, including
their use of clinical guidelines. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore GPs’ knowledge and concern
regarding antibiotic resistance.
Design & setting: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with GPs was performed.
Method: 15 GPs from seven PHC... (More)
Background: The incidence of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) in men visiting primary health
care (PHC) is low. Hence, GPs do not diagnose and treat men with LUTI very often. Previous studies
have shown that adherence to treatment guidelines regarding LUTI in men is low. There is limited
knowledge concerning why guidelines are not adhered to.
Aim: To gain knowledge on GPs’ experiences and concerns when treating men with LUTI, including
their use of clinical guidelines. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore GPs’ knowledge and concern
regarding antibiotic resistance.
Design & setting: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with GPs was performed.
Method: 15 GPs from seven PHC centres (PHCC) in southern Sweden were interviewed. The
interviews were conducted from September 2022 to March 2023. All interviews were audio recorded
and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed.
Results: GPs had limited experience with and felt less certainty when diagnosing male LUTI. Extended
examinations could partially relieve this feeling. GPs were well informed about the Swedish treatment
guidelines for LUTI in men and felt safe to treat their patients according to the guidelines. However,
GPs also acknowledged that guidelines do not cover all situations and need to be individualised.
Conclusion: Many GPs feel insecure when diagnosing male LUTI. The relatively low prevalence of
this condition in PHC could contribute to this feeling. Clear and instructive guidelines regarding both
the diagnostic process and adequate antibiotic choices are important to maintain good quality in the
management of LUTI in men. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
Background: The incidence of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) in men visiting primary health care (PHC) is low. Hence, GPs do not diagnose and treat men with LUTI very often. Previous studies have shown that adherence to treatment guidelines regarding LUTI in men is low. There is limited knowledge concerning why guidelines are not adhered to.

Aim: To gain knowledge on GPs’ experiences and concerns when treating men with LUTI, including their use of clinical guidelines. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore GPs’ knowledge and concern regarding antibiotic resistance.

Design & setting: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with GPs was performed.

Method: 15 GPs from seven PHC centres... (More)
Background: The incidence of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) in men visiting primary health care (PHC) is low. Hence, GPs do not diagnose and treat men with LUTI very often. Previous studies have shown that adherence to treatment guidelines regarding LUTI in men is low. There is limited knowledge concerning why guidelines are not adhered to.

Aim: To gain knowledge on GPs’ experiences and concerns when treating men with LUTI, including their use of clinical guidelines. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore GPs’ knowledge and concern regarding antibiotic resistance.

Design & setting: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with GPs was performed.

Method: 15 GPs from seven PHC centres (PHCC) in southern Sweden were interviewed. The interviews were conducted from September 2022 to March 2023. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed.

Results GPs had limited experience with and felt less certainty when diagnosing male LUTI. Extended examinations could partially relieve this feeling. GPs were well informed about the Swedish treatment guidelines for LUTI in men and felt safe to treat their patients according to the guidelines. However, GPs also acknowledged that guidelines do not cover all situations and need to be individualised.

Conclusion: Many GPs feel insecure when diagnosing male LUTI. The relatively low prevalence of this condition in PHC could contribute to this feeling. Clear and instructive guidelines regarding both the diagnostic process and adequate antibiotic choices are important to maintain good quality in the management of LUTI in men. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
alternative title
Allmänläkares erfarenheter av att diagnosticera och behandla akut cystit hos män. En kvalitativ studie.
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
BJGP open
volume
8
issue
3
article number
BJGPO.2023.0254
publisher
Royal College of General Practitioners
external identifiers
  • pmid:38621790
  • scopus:85208731723
ISSN
2398-3795
DOI
10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0254
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3efdc526-bc3c-4b30-acb7-028813c8a767
date added to LUP
2024-10-01 17:08:32
date last changed
2025-04-04 14:20:06
@article{3efdc526-bc3c-4b30-acb7-028813c8a767,
  abstract     = {{Background: The incidence of lower urinary tract infection (LUTI) in men visiting primary health<br/>care (PHC) is low. Hence, GPs do not diagnose and treat men with LUTI very often. Previous studies<br/>have shown that adherence to treatment guidelines regarding LUTI in men is low. There is limited<br/>knowledge concerning why guidelines are not adhered to.<br/>Aim: To gain knowledge on GPs’ experiences and concerns when treating men with LUTI, including<br/>their use of clinical guidelines. Furthermore, this study aimed to explore GPs’ knowledge and concern<br/>regarding antibiotic resistance.<br/>Design &amp; setting: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with GPs was performed.<br/>Method: 15 GPs from seven PHC centres (PHCC) in southern Sweden were interviewed. The<br/>interviews were conducted from September 2022 to March 2023. All interviews were audio recorded<br/>and transcribed verbatim. A thematic analysis was performed.<br/>Results: GPs had limited experience with and felt less certainty when diagnosing male LUTI. Extended<br/>examinations could partially relieve this feeling. GPs were well informed about the Swedish treatment<br/>guidelines for LUTI in men and felt safe to treat their patients according to the guidelines. However,<br/>GPs also acknowledged that guidelines do not cover all situations and need to be individualised.<br/>Conclusion: Many GPs feel insecure when diagnosing male LUTI. The relatively low prevalence of<br/>this condition in PHC could contribute to this feeling. Clear and instructive guidelines regarding both<br/>the diagnostic process and adequate antibiotic choices are important to maintain good quality in the<br/>management of LUTI in men.}},
  author       = {{Kornfält Isberg, Helena and Gröndal, Hedvig and Tyrstrup, Mia}},
  issn         = {{2398-3795}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  number       = {{3}},
  publisher    = {{Royal College of General Practitioners}},
  series       = {{BJGP open}},
  title        = {{GPs’ experience with diagnosis and treatment guidelines for lower UTI in men: a qualitative interview}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/196223031/BJGPO.2023.0254.full.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.3399/BJGPO.2023.0254}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}