Skip to main content

Table 1 An example of the analytical process used to process the interview information

From: Could it be colorectal cancer? General practitioners’ use of the faecal occult blood test and decision making – a qualitative study

Meaning unit

Condensed meaning unit

Code

Category

I assume there’s also a certain degree of intuition involved. Like when something is not quite right with a person I’ve seen before.

Intuition involved when a patient has been seen before.

Intuition involved.

Careful listening—with awareness of the pitfalls

It (iFOBTa) could be important because it can back up my theory if I already, based on other symptoms and so on, have an idea.

IFOBT results can back me up if I, based on other factors, have a general idea.

IFOBT can back up a decision to investigate or not.

Tests can help—the iFOBT can also complicate the diagnosis

If I don't feel quite certain about an IBSb diagnosis, I refer for bowel imaging.

Bowel imaging if the IBS diagnosis feels uncertain.

Bowel imaging if an uncertain IBS diagnosis.

To refer or not to refer—safety margins are necessary

Perhaps I can keep a cool head for longer now, if I think it looks harmless.

Keep a slightly cooler head now if it looks benign.

Keeping cooler head now.

Growing more confident—but also more humble

  1. aImmunochemical faecal occult blood tests
  2. bIrritable bowel syndrome