Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34353789›Full record

ArticleBJGP open2021

GPs' perceptions of their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry: a qualitative study.

James Larkin, Ivana Pericin, Maurice Collins, Susan M Smith, David Byrne, Frank Moriarty

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BJGP open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

James LarkinDepartment of General Practice, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland larkinja@tcd.ie.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4339-5623
Ivana PericinSchool of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Maurice CollinsDepartment of General Practice, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9730-733X
Susan M SmithDepartment of General Practice, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6027-2727
David ByrneDepartment of General Practice, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3885-6915
Frank MoriartySchool of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9838-3625

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in promoting medications to physicians. This promotion may influence physicians' prescribing behaviour and lead to inappropriately increased prescribing rates.

aimTo understand GPs' experience of interacting with the pharmaceutical industry, and explore their views and perceptions of the impact of this interaction in general practice in Ireland. DESIGN &

settingA qualitative design was used, and GPs practicing in Ireland were eligible.

methodA combination of purposive and snowball sampling techniques was applied and semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis was used to develop themes from the data.

resultsTwenty-one GPs and one GP trainee participated. Five themes were developed: 1) GP and pharmaceutical industry interface; 2) the industry's methods of influence; 3) the uncomfortable relationship between GPs and industry; 4) GPs' perceptions of being unconsciously influenced; and 5) GPs' lack of knowledge of relevant regulations.Participants interacted with pharmaceutical representatives in their surgery and through continuing professional development (CPD). Reported methods of influence included biased information and the offer of gifts. Most participants felt their prescribing was unconsciously influenced. A minority felt that they were only influenced in a way that improved their prescribing.

conclusionThe study shows that there can be a lack of clarity among GPs about relevant regulations and about the potential impact on prescribing of interactions with the pharmaceutical industry. Education of trainees and GPs has the potential to address this. Restrictions on interactions with the pharmaceutical industry may also play a role, although alternative CPD funding sources would need to be established.

Indexed as

drug industrygeneral practiceIrelandperceptionqualitative research

Identifiers

PMID34353789
PMCPMC8596315

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.