Invloed van focusgroepen op NHG-Standaarden en implementatieproducten

INTRODUCTION: FOCUS group meetings are a way to elicit the input of general practitioners regarding the content and implementation of Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap (NHG; Dutch College of General Practitioners) Guidelines. The aims of this study were to determine the extent to which the advice of these focus groups is implemented, the reasons for not implementing the advice, and how satisfied participants are with these meetings. METHOD: The extent to which the advice of focus groups was incorporated into 17 NHG Guidelines and educational products and materials for doctors and patients was investigated, as were the reasons why the advice was not implemented, where relevant. Satisfaction was measured by means of a questionnaire sent to participating general practitioners and a group interview with NHG staff. RESULTS: The 17 focus groups made 281 recommendations regarding the content of the NHG Guidelines, of which 209 (74%) were incorporated in the final text. The main reasons for ignoring recommendations or advice were differences of opinion about the content and relevance of the advice. Of the 151 educational products and materials proposed (for resolving 94 bottlenecks to implementation), 93 (62%) were effectuated on the basis of their estimated importance and compatibility with existing educational products and materials. Both NHG staff and general practitioners were very satisfied with the focus group meetings. CONCLUSION: FOCUS group meetings with general practitioners are valuable for adjusting the content of NHG Guidelines and recommendations to the requirements of general practitioners.