Attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and perspectives on barriers and enablers of Australian general practitioners towards non-drug interventions: a national survey

Abstract

Background: Many guidelines recommend non-drug interventions (NDIs) for managing common conditions in primary care. However, compared with drug interventions, NDIs are less widely known, promoted and used. We aim to (1) examine general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge, attitudes and practices for NDIs, including their use of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Handbook of Non-Drug Interventions (HANDI), and (2) identify factors influencing their use of NDIs and HANDI.

Methods: We conducted a web-based cross-sectional survey of practicing GP members in Australia during October-November 2022. The survey contained five sections: characteristics of GP; knowledge and use of NDIs; attitudes towards NDIs; barriers and enablers to using HANDI; and suggestions of NDIs and ideas to improve the uptake of NDIs in primary care.

Results: Of the 366 GPs who completed the survey, 242 (66%) were female, and 248 (74%) were ≥45 years old. One in three GPs reported that they regularly ('always') recommend NDIs to their patients when appropriate (34%), whereas one-third of GPs were unaware of HANDI (39%). GPs identified several factors that improve the uptake of HANDI, including 'access and integration of HANDI in clinical practice', 'content and support to use in practice' and 'awareness and training'.

Conclusions: While many GPs are aware of the effectiveness of NDIs and often endorse their use, obstacles still prevent widespread adoption in primary care. The results of this survey can serve as a foundation for developing implementation strategies to improve the uptake of effective evidence-based NDIs in primary care.

Keywords: General Practice; Healthy Lifestyle; Primary Health Care.

Figure 1

The proportion of general practitioner respondents reported using NDIs (n=335) and RACGP HANDI (n=204) in clinical practice. NDI, non-drug intervention; RACGP HANDI; The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Handbook of Non-Drug Interventions.

Figure 2

Geneal practitioners’ (GPs) beliefs and attitudes about NDIs. GPs responded to, ‘For each of the following NDIs, which are you aware of, agree is useful, and use in practice?’. Note: GP numbers are inside bars; percents can be read of the horizontal axis. CHD, coronary heart disease; CVD, cardiovascular disease; GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Figure 3

General practitioners’ (GPs) awareness, knowledge of, belief in and use of NDIs. GPs responded to, ‘Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statements’. Note: GP numbers are inside bars; percents can be read of the horizontal axis.