Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M J Whitfield

Publications and source records attributed to M J Whitfield.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Towards a typology of general practitioners' attitudes to general practice.

Current knowledge about the origins of variations in general practitioners' (GPs') prescribing and referral behaviour is limited. Differences are as yet unexplained by demographic factors such as list size or geographic location. Drawing on social psychological theory it is suggested that attitudes towards general practice held by GPs may be predictive of GP behaviour. A classification of GP types on the basis of expressed attitudes may represent the first step towards this goal. This research demonstrates that GPs in Avon have identifiable attitudes to general practice which can be classified into separate types. Uses of such a classification and implications for further research are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

HIV infection and South-West general practitioners.

General practitioners in the Severn Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners were asked about their knowledge and practice in dealing with HIV infected patients. 62% responded to our anonymous questionnaire. Overall, four-fifths of the doctors expressed confidence in their ability to advise HIV antibody positive patients on sexual activity, drug abuse and domestic activities. Only 61% were confident of their ability to advise such patients on pregnancy. Differences in screening policy and measures of awareness were related to location of practice by county within the Region and to the presence of HIV infected patients on individual lists. The findings are discussed in relation to previous surveys of general practitioners in the UK.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

GPs and consultants: is there agreement on patient management?

General practitioner attitude questionnaires were sent in May 1987 to 525 general practitioners (GPs) within Avon. A year later a section dealing with the management of clinical situations was sent to 198 Avon consultants, to determine how they would ideally expect a GP to respond to these situations. The majority of both the GPs and consultants held a common viewpoint, but significant differences were noted between the consultants and GPs in six out of the ten situations. Consultants with more than six months' GP experience had fewer significantly different views than their colleagues with little or no GP experience. GPs and specialists under the age of 45 years also had fewer significant differences in management than older GPs and specialists. The differences seem to reflect the clinical focus and interests of each professional group. We believe vocational training is a contributory factor to the differences and support the General Medical Council's proposal of a broader post registration training for all doctors.

Adult↗