Australian General Practitioners’ Perspectives, Experiences and Use of Non-drug Interventions in Primary Care - A Qualitative Study

Sep 30, 2026

Non-drug interventions (NDIs) remain underused in primary care despite established effectiveness, safety, cost–benefit and guideline support. Existing studies largely examine patient barriers and enablers, leaving general practitioners’ (GPs) views insufficiently explored though they are central to NDI delivery. This qualitative interview study investigates Australian GPs’ experiences and perspectives on NDI use, analyzing themes via realist methodology and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Four themes explain knowledge sharing, considering patient expectations, influence of practice environment, and NDIs as part of GP role and identity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Objective

Design

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What is already known on this topic

What this study adds

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Introduction

Open access Original research Australian General Practitioners’ perspectives, experiences and use of non-drug interventions in primary care: a qualitative study Alexandra R. Davidson ,1,2 Hannah Greenwood ,1 Isabella Maugeri ,2 Caroline Katherine Dowsett ,1 Loai Albarqouni 1,2 To cite: Davidson AR, Greenwood H, Maugeri I, et al. Australian General Practitioners’perspectives, experiences and use of non-drug interventionsin primary care: a qualitative study. Fam Med Com Health 2026;14:e003741 . doi:10 . 1136/ fmch-2025-003741 ► Additional supplemental material is published online only. To view, please visit the journal online ([https://doi.org/10.1136/](https://doi.org/10.1136/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.1136/)[fmch-2025-003741](fmch-2025-003741)) . Received 29 October 2025 Accepted 17 December 2025 © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ Group. 1Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia 2Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Correspondence to Dr Alexandra R. Davidson; [adavidso@bond.edu.au](adavidso@bond.edu.au) ABSTRACT Objective Non-drug interventions (NDIs) are underused in primary care, despite established effectiveness, safety, cost–benefit and guidelines. Existing research exploring barriers and enablers to NDI use primarily focuses on patients’ perspectives, leaving general practitioners’(GPs’) perspectives underexplored, despite their critical role in NDI delivery. The objective of this study is to explore Australian GPs’ experiences and perspectives on the use of NDIs in primary care. Design An interview study informed by realist methodology. Transcripts were abductively analysed, with a sample analysed by two researchers, using the Theoretical Domains Framework, which allows identification of individual and contextual factors that influence behaviour, and discussed in team meetings to develop themes. Setting Interviews took place either in person or online via Zoom, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participant A convenience sample of GPs working in Australian primary care. Result 14 GPs were interviewed for an average of 59 min. Four themes were developed representing the latent mechanisms underlying GPs’ prescription and use of NDIs. (1) Obtaining and sharing knowledge: GPs’ learning about NDIs is limited through medical school and continuing education, highlighting gapsin tertiary and specialty training. Sharing knowledge occurs bidirectionally. GPs share their learnt knowledge about NDIs with patients, who in turn share their lived experience knowledge. (2) Considering the patient: patient characteristics, circumstances and actual or perceived expectations influenced GPs’ NDI prescription. Influences included financial status, therapeutic relationship, patient motivation, presenting condition and medication expectation. (3) Influence of primary care environment: time constraints, billing and policies influenced when and how GPs used and prescribed NDIs. Interprofessional collaboration and distributing patient resources were strategies used by GPs to overcome barriers. (4) NDIs part of GPs’ role and identity: NDIs were prescribed as firstline treatments, preventative strategies or as an adjuvant to medication for both acute or chronic conditions, highlighting NDIs as core to GPs’ role and care. Conclusion This study reveals the interplay of factors and mechanisms influencing Australian GPs’ use of WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC | ⇒ Despite strong evidence supporting their effectiveness, safety and cost–benefit, non-drug interventions (NDIs) remain underused in primary care, with existing research largely focused on patient perspectives and limited exploration of general practitioners’(GPs) views.
WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS | | --- | | ⇒ GPs have overall high levels of knowledge and understanding of the importance of

FAQs

Why are non-drug interventions (NDIs) still underused in primary care?

NDIs have evidence for effectiveness, safety, and cost–benefit, yet they remain underused. The paper notes that existing research has mostly focused on patients, leaving GPs’ perspectives insufficiently explored.

How was the study conducted and analyzed?

The study used qualitative interviews informed by realist methodology. Transcripts were abductively analyzed, supported by the Theoretical Domains Framework, and discussed to develop themes.

What factors influence Australian GPs’ prescribing and use of NDIs?

Four themes were developed: knowledge acquisition and sharing, considering patient characteristics and expectations, primary care environment constraints such as time and policies, and NDIs as part of GPs’ role and identity.

Sep 30, 2026

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