Table 4 The 43 factors affecting preference heterogeneity examined in the included studies, according to their overall strength of evidence and Andersen’s framework in main analyses

Strong

1.Employment status

None

None

1.Age

2.Income level

2.Gender

Limited

1.Activity if not visiting doctor: Attending college

1.Facility visiting experience: Higher levels

1.Appointment for a child

1.Marital status

2.Activity if not visiting doctor: Cleaning house

2.Appointment for another person

2.Number of family members

3.Activity if not visiting doctor: Looking after children

3.Frequency of GP Visits in the last year: < 3 times

3.Region

4.Activity if not visiting doctor: Other activity

4.Reason for appointment: Emergency

4.You trust in your GP: Yes

5.Activity if not visiting doctor: Work

5.Reason for appointment: Long standing physical problem

6.Advice was given by GP in current visit: Yes

6.Reason for appointment: New problem

7.Car ownership: Yes

7.Reason for appointment: Psychological problem

8.Carer status: Yes

8.Severity of symptoms

9.Current GP works with another GP

10.Ever had second opinion

11.GP involved you in the decision: Yes

12.GP listened to you carefully: Yes

13.Insurance type: High premium

14.Living alone: Yes

15.Prior experience putting off seeking care from GP: Yes

Inconclusive

1.Current waiting time at present appointment

1.Time since last visit

1.Technical equipment available

None

2.Distance to health care centre

2.Reason to see GP in current visit: general / minor illness

3.Present registration with GP

4.Decision making at last visit

5.GP provided a lot of information at last visit

Conflicting

None

None

1.Chronic disease status: Yes

1.Education level

2.Health Status: Poor